Tricky Subject-Verb Agreement Pdf

Tricky Subject-Verb Agreement: A Guide for Writers and Editors

Subject-verb agreement is one of the most fundamental rules of grammar. While it seems simple enough, it can still trip up even the most experienced writers and editors. And when it comes to PDF documents, where the content is already set in stone, fixing these errors can be a real challenge. In this article, we’ll explore common subject-verb agreement issues and provide tips for addressing them in your PDF files.

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement

Before we delve into the tricky aspects of subject-verb agreement, let’s review the basics. Simply put, subject-verb agreement means that the tense of the verb should match the number of the subject. For example, “he runs” is correct because “he” is singular and “runs” is in the present tense. On the other hand, “they runs” is incorrect because the plural subject “they” does not match the singular verb “runs.”

Tricky Situations

While subject-verb agreement seems straightforward, there are a few situations that can make it tricky. Here are some of the most common scenarios:

– Compound subjects: When there are two or more subjects connected by “and,” the verb should be plural. For example, “John and Jane love to dance.”

– Indefinite pronouns: Some indefinite pronouns, like “everyone” and “anyone,” are singular and require a singular verb. Others, like “both” and “few,” are plural and require a plural verb.

– Collective nouns: Collective nouns like “team” and “group” can be either singular or plural, depending on whether you are referring to the group as a whole or the individuals within the group. For example, “the team is playing well” versus “the team are arguing.”

– Interrupting phrases: When there is a phrase or clause interrupting the subject and verb, it can be easy to forget to match them correctly. For example, “The book, along with its sequels, has/have been popular.”

Fixing the Errors

When editing a PDF document, you cannot change the original content. However, you can add a comment or note to alert the author or other editors of the subject-verb agreement error. To make it easier for them to identify the problem, be specific about what needs to be fixed. For example, you might add a comment like “Subject-verb disagreement: singular subject, plural verb” or “Compound subject: plural verb needed.”

In some cases, you may also be able to suggest rewording the sentence to avoid the subject-verb agreement issue altogether. For example, instead of saying “Both the dog and cat are sleeping,” you could say “The dog and cat are both sleeping.”

Final Thoughts

Subject-verb agreement errors can make even the most well-written document appear unprofessional. As a professional, it’s essential to have a keen eye for these errors and to know how to address them. By understanding the tricky situations that can arise and knowing how to fix the errors without changing the original content, you can help ensure that your PDF documents are polished and error-free.