As a copy editor, subject-verb agreement rules are one of the most important aspects of grammar to consider when writing for SEO purposes. In order to rank highly in search engines, it is important that your content is not only well-written and informative, but also grammatically correct and easy to read.
Subject-verb agreement refers to the rule that states that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. This means that a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb. For example, « the cat is sleeping » is correct, while « the cat are sleeping » is not.
There are a few different scenarios in which subject-verb agreement can become tricky, so it is important to be aware of these and ensure that your writing is consistent and error-free.
Firstly, when there are compound subjects joined by « and, » the verb should be plural. For example, « Sarah and John are going to the party. » However, if the compound subject is joined by « or » or « nor, » the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. For example, « Neither the cat nor the dog is allowed on the couch. »
Secondly, when dealing with collective nouns (such as « team, » « family, » or « group »), it depends on whether the emphasis is on the individuals or the group as a whole. If the emphasis is on the group as a whole, the verb should be singular. For example, « The team is celebrating their victory. » However, if the emphasis is on the individuals in the group, the verb should be plural. For example, « The team are all wearing their own jerseys. »
Thirdly, when dealing with indefinite pronouns (such as « everyone, » « anyone, » or « someone »), the verb should be singular. For example, « Everyone is responsible for their own actions. »
Lastly, when dealing with subjects that are separated from the verb by intervening words or phrases, it can be easy to forget to ensure that the verb agrees with the subject. For example, « The book, along with the pen and the notebook, is on the desk. »
By following these subject-verb agreement rules, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct. This will not only help to improve your SEO rankings, but also make your content more accessible and engaging for readers.