Subject-Verb Agreement with Personal Pronouns: A Guide to Proper Grammar for SEO Writing
As an SEO copy editor, one of the most important aspects of writing is ensuring that your content is not only engaging but also grammatically correct. One common grammar issue that often arises is subject-verb agreement with personal pronouns.
What is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical rule that states that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. In simpler terms, if the subject of the sentence is singular, then the verb must also be singular. If the subject is plural, then the verb must be plural as well.
For example, “He runs every morning” is correct because the subject “he” is singular and the verb “runs” agrees with it. “They run every morning” is also correct because the subject “they” is plural and the verb “run” agrees with it.
Subject-Verb Agreement with Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns, such as “he,” “she,” “it,” “they,” and “we,” are commonly used in writing and speaking. When using personal pronouns, it is important to ensure that the subject and verb agree in number.
For example, “He love pizza” is incorrect because the subject “he” is singular and the verb “love” is plural. The correct sentence should be “He loves pizza.”
Similarly, “They was running” is incorrect because the subject “they” is plural and the verb “was” is singular. The correct sentence should be “They were running.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake when it comes to subject-verb agreement with personal pronouns is using the wrong form of the verb. For example, “She have a dog” is incorrect because the verb “have” is not in the correct form. The correct sentence should be “She has a dog.”
Another mistake is using the wrong pronoun altogether. For example, “Me and my friend went to the store” is incorrect because “me” should be replaced with “I.” The correct sentence should be “My friend and I went to the store.”
In addition, when using collective nouns, such as “team,” “family,” and “class,” it is important to use the correct form of the verb based on the context. For example, “The team is playing well” is correct because the team is considered a singular unit. However, “The team are playing well” would be correct if the focus was on the individual members of the team.
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement with personal pronouns is a crucial aspect of proper grammar in SEO writing. By following this simple rule, you can ensure that your content is not only engaging but also grammatically correct. Remember to use the correct form of the verb and to choose the right pronoun based on the context of the sentence. With these tips in mind, you can elevate your writing skills and produce high-quality content that is sure to attract and engage your audience.