Subject-verb agreement is an essential component of English grammar. It refers to the agreement between a subject and its corresponding verb in number and person. When it comes to writing high-quality content that ranks well on search engines, having proper subject-verb agreement is crucial. In this article, we`ll take a look at the basics of subject-verb agreement, as well as provide some examples of proper usage.

Subject-Verb Agreement: The Basics

In simple terms, subject-verb agreement means that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular. The same applies to plural subjects and verbs. For example:

– The cat sleeps on the couch. (singular subject, singular verb)

– The cats sleep on the couch. (plural subject, plural verb)

However, subject-verb agreement goes beyond just number. It also involves ensuring that the verb agrees with the person of the subject. This means that if the subject is in the first person (I, we), the verb should also be in the first person. The same applies to the second person (you) and the third person (he, she, it, they). For example:

– I am going to the store. (first person subject, first person verb)

– You are going to the store. (second person subject, second person verb)

– She is going to the store. (third person subject, third person verb)

As Well As – Subject-Verb Agreement Example

Using the phrase „as well as“ in a sentence can sometimes complicate subject-verb agreement. This is because „as well as“ is a conjunction that adds information to the sentence. It is important to ensure that the verb agrees with the subject that comes before „as well as.“ For example:

– The cat, as well as the dog, sleeps on the couch. (singular subject before „as well as,“ therefore „sleeps“ is singular)

– The cats, as well as the dog, sleep on the couch. (plural subject before „as well as,“ therefore „sleep“ is plural)

In the above examples, „as well as“ is used to add information about the dog. However, the verb agreement is determined by the subject that comes before it.

Conclusion

Subject-verb agreement is an important aspect of English grammar, especially for those seeking to create high-quality, SEO-friendly content. It is essential to ensure that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number and person. The use of „as well as“ in a sentence can complicate subject-verb agreement, but it is important to remember that the verb should agree with the subject that comes before it. By following these basic rules, writers can create content that is grammatically correct and effective in ranking on search engines.