Relative Clause Subject Verb Agreement: A Guide for Copy Editors
When it comes to writing, proper grammar is essential. This is especially true for copy editors who must ensure that the content they edit is not only written well but also optimized for search engines. One area where copy editors often encounter errors is in the agreement between the subject and verb in relative clauses. In this article, we`ll take a closer look at relative clause subject verb agreement and provide tips for ensuring your writing is error-free.
What are Relative Clauses?
Before delving into subject verb agreement in relative clauses, it`s important to understand what they are. A relative clause is a type of dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun in the main clause. Relative clauses are introduced by relative pronouns (such as “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “that,” or “which”) or relative adverbs (such as “when,” “where,” or “why”).
Examples of relative clauses include:
– The person who I saw yesterday was my neighbor.
– The book that I read last night was very interesting.
Subject Verb Agreement in Relative Clauses
In relative clauses, the verb must agree with the subject of the clause, just as it does in independent clauses. However, this can sometimes be tricky, as the subject of the relative clause may be different from the subject of the main clause.
Let`s look at an example:
– The athlete who won the gold medal was from Jamaica.
In this sentence, the athlete is the subject of the relative clause, and won is the verb. The subject of the main clause is not explicitly stated, but it is implied to be the same as the subject of the relative clause. Therefore, the verb agrees with the athlete, and we use the singular verb form won.
However, if we change the sentence slightly, we can create a subject verb agreement error:
– The athletes who won the gold medals were from Jamaica.
In this sentence, athletes is the subject of the relative clause, and won is still the verb. However, the subject of the main clause is now plural (athletes), while the verb remains singular (won). This is an example of a subject verb agreement error.
How to Avoid Subject Verb Agreement Errors in Relative Clauses
To ensure that your writing is free from subject verb agreement errors in relative clauses, consider the following tips:
1. Identify the subject and verb in the relative clause. Make sure that the verb agrees with the subject in number and person.
2. Determine the subject of the main clause and ensure that it agrees with the subject in the relative clause.
3. Be aware of the differences between singular and plural subjects and verbs, and check for consistency throughout the sentence.
4. Read your writing aloud to check for errors. This can help you identify subject verb agreement errors that may not be immediately apparent on paper.
Conclusion
Subject verb agreement in relative clauses can be a bit tricky, but with a little practice, you can master it. Remember to always check for consistency and ensure that the subject and verb agree in number and person. By doing so, you`ll create error-free writing that is not only grammatically sound but also optimized for search engines.
