Percentage of Subject Verb Agreement
Written by alianca on 9 de fevereiro de 2022
As a copy editor, ensuring proper subject-verb agreement is one of the most important aspects of writing. This applies to all types of writing, whether it’s academic, business, or creative writing. Subject-verb agreement refers to the matching of the subject and the verb in a sentence. It is crucial because it affects the clarity and effectiveness of the message being conveyed.
One of the most common mistakes that writers make is the incorrect use of the percentage of subject-verb agreement. In fact, this error is so prevalent that it has become a pet peeve for many language experts. Let`s take a closer look at how to use percentage of subject-verb agreement correctly.
The basic rule for subject-verb agreement is that the subject and verb should match in number. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural as well. However, there are some tricky cases where the subject and verb seem to be at odds with each other.
One such case is when the subject is a percentage. Percentages can cause confusion because they can be either singular or plural, depending on the context of the sentence. In general, if the percentage is followed by a singular noun, the verb should be singular as well, and if the percentage is followed by a plural noun, the verb should be plural.
For example, “Twenty percent of the population is overweight” is correct because the percentage (twenty percent) is followed by a singular noun (population), so the verb (is) should also be singular. Conversely, “Twenty percent of the students are athletes” is correct because the percentage (twenty percent) is followed by a plural noun (students), so the verb (are) should also be plural.
Another tricky case is when the subject is a collective noun. Collective nouns refer to groups of people or things, such as team, group, or committee. In general, if the collective noun is being treated as a single entity, the verb should be singular, and if the collective noun is being treated as a group of individuals, the verb should be plural.
For example, “The committee is meeting tomorrow” is correct because the committee is being treated as a single entity, so the verb (is meeting) should be singular. Conversely, “The committee are divided on the issue” is correct because the committee is being treated as a group of individuals, so the verb (are divided) should be plural.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential element of proper writing, and it`s crucial to understand the rules that govern it. When dealing with percentage and collective nouns, it`s essential to pay attention to the context of the sentence to determine whether the verb should be singular or plural. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your writing is clear, effective, and grammatically correct.
