Subject and verb agreement are among the fundamental rules of the English language, and they can be critical to the success of your content marketing efforts. However, when it comes to compound subjects, things can get a little bit more complicated. Here, we’ll take a closer look at subject and verb agreement with compound subjects, offering tips and best practices for writing clear and effective copy.
What is a compound subject?
A compound subject is a subject that consists of two or more nouns or pronouns, joined by a coordinating conjunction such as “and” or “or.” For example, “John and Jane” or “bread, butter, and jam.”
Subject-verb agreement with compound subjects
When writing a sentence with a compound subject, it’s important to remember that the verb must agree with the subject. That is, the verb tense and form should match the subject in terms of number (singular or plural).
For example, “John and Jane are going to the store” is correct because the subject “John and Jane” is plural, and the verb “are” matches it in number.
On the other hand, “John and Jane is going to the store” is incorrect because the verb “is” does not match the plural subject “John and Jane.” Instead, the sentence should read “John and Jane are going to the store.”
Similarly, when writing sentences with compound subjects using the coordinating conjunction “or,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. For example, “Either the cat or the dogs bark at the mailman” is correct because “dogs” is plural, and “bark” agrees with it.
Tips for writing with compound subjects
– Pay attention to the number of the subject: When writing sentences with compound subjects, be mindful of whether the subject is singular or plural, and be sure to use the appropriate verb form.
– Keep subjects close to their verbs: Try to keep the subjects of your sentences close to the verbs that agree with them. This can help avoid confusion and make your writing easier to read and understand.
– Use clear language: Avoid using overly complex language that might muddle the subject-verb agreement in your sentences. Stick to simple, clear language to make sure your meaning is always clear.
Subject and verb agreement with compound subjects can be tricky, but with a bit of practice, it can become second nature. By paying close attention to the number of your subjects, staying mindful of your verbs, and using clear language, you can create effective, error-free content that will help your SEO efforts succeed.
