Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of proper grammar, and it is crucial to maintain this agreement throughout your writing. The BBC is a leading news organization that sets high standards for its writers. To ensure a polished piece, BBC writers must maintain strict subject-verb agreement rules. This article will discuss subject-verb agreement in BBC writing, its importance, and how writers can achieve proper agreement in their work.
Subject-Verb Agreement: What is it?
Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that a verb must agree with its subject in person and number. In simple terms, it means that a singular subject should take a singular verb, and a plural subject should take a plural verb. For example, “She sings” is correct, while “She sing” is incorrect.
Subject-verb agreement is essential to make your writing clear and effective, as incorrect subject-verb agreement can cause confusion and may even change the meaning of a sentence.
Why is Subject-Verb Agreement Important in BBC Writing?
As a leading news organization, the BBC sets high standards for its writers. BBC writers must ensure that their writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct. Incorrect subject-verb agreement can make a piece of writing appear unclear and unprofessional, which is not fitting for the BBC`s brand.
How to Achieve Proper Subject-Verb Agreement in BBC Writing?
There are several rules that writers must follow to achieve proper subject-verb agreement in their work. Here are some of them:
1. Match singular subjects with singular verbs and plural subjects with plural verbs.
2. Use “is” with singular subjects and “are” with plural subjects.
3. When linking a subject and a verb with a prepositional phrase, ensure that the verb agrees with the subject, not with the object of the preposition.
4. When using a collective noun as a subject, use a singular verb when referring to the group as a whole and a plural verb when referring to the individual members.
5. When dealing with compound subjects joined by “and,” use a plural verb.
6. When dealing with compound subjects joined by “or,” use a singular verb that agrees with the subject closest to the verb.
In Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of proper grammar, and it is crucial to maintain this agreement throughout your writing. The BBC sets high standards for its writers, and it is essential that writers maintain proper subject-verb agreement in their work. By following the rules discussed above, writers can ensure that their writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct, thereby fulfilling the BBC`s expectations.