As a professional, I understand the importance of using clear and concise language to convey your message effectively. One common issue that arises when writing is determining the appropriate form of agreement in person, which can be tricky to navigate and may lead to grammatical errors if not handled correctly.
To achieve proper agreement in person, the subject and verb in a sentence must match in terms of being singular or plural. For example, if the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well.
One simple way to ensure agreement in person is to use the “one sentence” method. This involves picking out the subject of the sentence and then identifying whether it is singular or plural. Once you have determined the subject`s number, you can then choose the appropriate form of the verb.
For instance, consider the following sentence: “The dog and the cat (run/ runs) around the yard.” To apply the “one sentence” method, you would first identify the subject of the sentence (“the dog and the cat”) and determine that it is plural. Therefore, you would use the plural form of the verb (“run”), resulting in the correct sentence: “The dog and the cat run around the yard.”
Another example could be: “The company (is/ are) expanding its business.” By using the “one sentence” method, you would identify the subject (“the company”) and determine that it is singular. Therefore, you would use the singular form of the verb (“is”), resulting in the correct sentence: “The company is expanding its business.”
In conclusion, achieving proper agreement in person is critical for producing a professional and effective piece of writing. By utilizing the “one sentence” method, you can ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct and convey your intended meaning accurately. So, the next time you are in doubt about whether to use a singular or plural verb, remember to “pick the subject, choose the verb” and you`ll be on your way to producing great writing.
