Subject-verb agreement is a crucial grammatical rule that is often overlooked by writers and editors. It is the agreement between the subject and the verb in a sentence, which means that both should match in number and tense.

For instance, if the subject is singular, the verb must also be in the singular form. Similarly, if the subject is plural, the verb must be in the plural form.

In the copy editing world, a subject-verb agreement project activity involves reviewing and correcting the subject-verb agreement errors in a piece of content. This may include identifying and correcting errors in both simple and complex sentences, as well as ensuring consistency in tense and form throughout the piece.

Here are a few key tips for ensuring subject-verb agreement in your writing:

1. Identify the subject and the verb in a sentence.

Before you can check for subject-verb agreement, you need to identify the subject and the verb in a given sentence. The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action, while the verb is the action or state of being.

2. Ensure that the subject and verb agree in number.

Make sure that the subject and verb agree in number. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb should be in the singular form, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be in the plural form.

For example:

Incorrect: The group of students was waiting for their teacher.

Correct: The group of students were waiting for their teacher.

3. Pay attention to tense.

Ensure consistency in tense throughout the piece. If you are writing in the present tense, ensure that all verbs are in the present tense. Similarly, if you are writing in the past tense, all verbs should be in the past tense.

For example:

Incorrect: He is closing the door, then she opens it.

Correct: He closes the door, then she opens it.

4. Beware of complex sentences.

Complex sentences with multiple clauses can often lead to subject-verb agreement errors. Make sure to check for the subject and verb agreement in each clause within the sentence.

For example:

Incorrect: The woman who runs the store and owns the property are friendly.

Correct: The woman who runs the store and owns the property is friendly.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of good writing. As a copy editor, it is your responsibility to ensure that all content you review has proper subject-verb agreement. By following the tips outlined above, you can improve the overall quality of the content, making it more readable and engaging for the audience.