Editing Exercises on Subject Verb Agreement: Tips and Tricks
As a copy editor, one of the most common errors that you will encounter while editing is the subject-verb agreement mistake. This mistake happens when the subject and verb in a sentence do not match in number. For instance, saying “The cat eats” is grammatically incorrect because the subject “cat” is singular, and the verb “eats” is plural. This error can make your writing sound awkward and confusing, which is why it`s essential to practice editing exercises on subject-verb agreement.
Here are some tips and tricks to help you successfully master subject-verb agreement editing exercises:
1. Identify the subject and verb
The first step in editing exercises on subject-verb agreement is to identify the subject and verb in a sentence. Once you have identified the subject and verb, you can check if they match in number (singular or plural). This process is crucial because it will help you determine whether you need to change the verb to match the subject.
2. Determine the correct form of the verb
Once you have identified the subject and verb in a sentence, you need to determine the correct form of the verb. If the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural. For example, “The cat eats” should be changed to “The cat eats,” while “The cats eat” is correct.
3. Pay attention to indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to an unspecified person or thing, such as “somebody,” “everyone,” or “anything.” When you encounter an indefinite pronoun, it`s essential to determine whether it`s singular or plural. For instance, “Everyone is here” is correct because “everyone” is singular, while “Everybody are here” is incorrect.
4. Watch out for compound subjects
Compound subjects are two or more subjects that are joined by “and.” When you encounter a compound subject, you need to determine whether it`s singular or plural. If it`s plural, the verb should also be plural. For example, “Mary and John are coming” is correct because “Mary and John” is plural.
5. Check for subject-verb separation
Sometimes, the subject and verb in a sentence can be separated by other words or clauses. When this happens, it`s essential to identify the subject and verb and ensure that they match in number. For instance, “The cat, along with its kittens, are sleeping” should be changed to “The cat, along with its kittens, is sleeping.”
In conclusion, editing exercises on subject-verb agreement can be challenging, but with practice, you can successfully master it. The tips and tricks listed above will help you identify and correct subject-verb agreement errors, making your writing more concise and grammatically correct. Happy editing!