As a copy editor, one of the most common errors I come across is the disagreement between pronouns and verbs. This is a crucial aspect of grammar that can greatly impact the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. In this article, we will discuss what pronoun and verb agreement is, why it matters, and how to ensure that you are using these elements correctly.

What is Pronoun and Verb Agreement?

Pronoun and verb agreement refers to the rule that a pronoun must agree with the verb it is referring to in terms of number, person, and tense. For example, in the sentence “She eats breakfast every morning,” the pronoun “she” agrees with the verb “eats” in the singular present tense. However, in the sentence “They eat breakfast every morning,” the pronoun “they” agrees with the plural form of the verb “eat.”

Why Does Pronoun and Verb Agreement Matter?

Pronoun and verb agreement is crucial because it ensures that your writing is grammatically correct and easy to understand. If there is a disagreement between the two, it can cause confusion and make your writing less effective. Imagine reading a sentence like “She eat breakfast every morning” – the lack of agreement between the pronoun and verb would immediately stand out as incorrect and might even cause readers to question the validity of your writing.

How to Ensure Pronoun and Verb Agreement

To ensure that your pronouns and verbs agree, follow these simple rules:

1. Only use pronouns when they have a clear antecedent: A pronoun should always refer to a noun that was previously mentioned in the sentence or paragraph. For example, in the sentence “John ate breakfast before he went to work,” the pronoun “he” clearly refers to John. If there is no clear antecedent, the pronoun can create confusion.

2. Match the number of the pronoun with the number of the verb: This means that a singular pronoun should match a singular verb and a plural pronoun should match a plural verb. For example, in the sentence “He walks to work,” the singular pronoun “he” matches the singular verb “walks.” In the sentence “They walk to work,” the plural pronoun “they” matches the plural verb “walk.”

3. Match the person of the pronoun with the person of the verb: This means that a pronoun referring to the first person (I, me, we, us) should match a verb in the first person, a pronoun referring to the second person (you) should match a verb in the second person, and a pronoun referring to the third person (he, she, it, they) should match a verb in the third person. For example, in the sentence “I am going to the store,” the first person pronoun “I” matches the first person verb “am going.”

4. Match the tense of the pronoun with the tense of the verb: This means that a pronoun in the present tense should match a verb in the present tense, and a pronoun in the past tense should match a verb in the past tense. For example, in the sentence “I eat breakfast every morning,” the present tense pronoun “I” matches the present tense verb “eat.”

In conclusion, pronoun and verb agreement is an essential part of writing that can significantly impact the clarity and effectiveness of your words. By following the simple rules outlined above, you can ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and communicates your ideas clearly and effectively.