Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of writing and editing that should not be overlooked. It refers to the agreement between the subject and the verb of a sentence. When these two elements do not match in tense, number, or other factors, it can create confusion and make the sentence difficult to understand. As a copy editor with experience in SEO, it’s important to identify the appropriate verb in each sentence to ensure good grammar and readability.

Here are some tips to help you identify the appropriate verb in each sentence and ensure subject-verb agreement:

1. Identify the subject of the sentence: The subject is the person, place, or thing that the sentence is about. It can be a noun, pronoun, or even a phrase or clause. Once you have identified the subject, you can then determine the appropriate verb form to use.

2. Match the verb tense with the subject: The tense of the verb should match the tense of the subject. For example, if the subject is in the present tense, the verb should be in the present tense as well. If the subject is in the past tense, the verb should be in the past tense as well.

3. Check for singular or plural nouns: Verbs must also agree with the number of the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural. For example, “The dog barks” (singular subject) vs. “The dogs bark” (plural subject).

4. Look out for irregular verbs: Irregular verbs do not follow the typical patterns of regular verbs. For example, the verb “to be” is irregular because it does not follow the standard patterns of verbs. Some other examples of irregular verbs include “to have”, “to do”, and “to go”.

5. Use article adjectives to determine number: Sometimes, article adjectives can help determine whether the subject is singular or plural. For example, “A dog barks” (singular subject) vs. “The dogs bark” (plural subject).

In conclusion, identifying the appropriate verb in each sentence is essential in ensuring proper subject-verb agreement and clear communication. By following these tips, you can improve your writing and editing skills and create high-quality content that is easy to read and understand. As a copy editor with SEO experience, you can use subject-verb agreement to your advantage to improve the search engine optimization of your content and make it more visible to online readers.