Subject-verb agreement is one of the most basic rules in grammar. It ensures that the subject and the verb in a sentence are in harmony. As a professional, I understand the importance of subject-verb agreement in enhancing the quality of content. Poor subject-verb agreement can lead to misunderstandings, confusion, and even damage the reputation of a writer. In this article, I will share some subject-verb agreement rules that can help writers produce well-structured content.

Rule 1: Singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require plural verbs.

Example:

Singular subject: The cat chases the mouse.

Plural subject: The cats chase the mice.

Rule 2: Compound subjects connected by `and` take a plural verb.

Example:

My sister and her friend are going to the beach.

Rule 3: When there is a compound subject connected by `or` or `nor,` the verb matches the subject closest to it.

Example:

Neither the teacher nor the students are interested in the topic.

Rule 4: The verb agrees with the subject of a sentence, not with a noun that is part of a prepositional phrase.

Example:

The book on the table belongs to me.

Rule 5: Collective nouns can be singular or plural, depending on the context.

Example:

The team is playing well this year. (singular)

The team are having a great time. (plural)

Rule 6: Indefinite pronouns such as everyone, somebody, anybody, etc., take a singular verb.

Example:

Somebody was playing the guitar in the park.

Rule 7: When a subject is followed by a clause, the verb agrees with the subject, not with the object of the clause.

Example:

The idea that we should all use public transportation to reduce traffic congestion is gaining popularity.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of grammatically correct writing. A writer must use the rules outlined above to avoid grammatical errors and improve the standard of their writing. As a professional, I ensure that the content follows the subject-verb agreement rules to enhance its search engine ranking and readability.