Subject-verb agreement refers to the matching of the subject and verb in a sentence to ensure grammatical correctness. When writing for SEO purposes, it’s important to keep this in mind as search engines prioritize well-written content that is free of grammatical errors. One of the most common errors in subject-verb agreement is mismatched verb tenses or using the wrong form of the verb.
Here are some basic rules to follow when it comes to subject-verb agreement:
1. Singular subjects require singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs. For example:
– The cat runs. (singular subject and verb)
– The cats run. (plural subject and verb)
2. Compound subjects joined with ”and” require a plural verb. For example:
– My sister and I are going to the beach. (compound subject with plural verb)
3. When the subject is a collective noun like ”team,” ”group,” or ”family,” the verb can be either singular or plural, depending on context. For example:
– The team is playing well. (singular verb)
– The team are arguing about strategy. (plural verb)
4. When the subject and verb are separated by words or phrases, it`s important to identify the true subject to ensure proper agreement. For example:
– The book, along with the pen, was left on the table. (singular verb because ”book” is the true subject)
– The book, as well as the pen, were left on the table. (plural verb because both ”book” and ”pen” are the subjects)
5. When using indefinite pronouns like ”everyone,” ”someone,” or ”everybody,” the verb should always be singular. For example:
– Everyone loves cake. (singular verb)
– Someone is knocking on the door. (singular verb)
By following these basic rules, you can ensure that your writing is free of subject-verb agreement errors and is optimized for SEO. Remember to always proofread your work and make necessary corrections before publishing.