What Is a Predicate Agreement

As a copy editor, one of the most important aspects of writing is ensuring proper grammar and syntax. For many writers, one common area of confusion is predicate agreement. Understanding what this term means and how to use it correctly is essential in crafting clear and effective sentences.

So, what exactly is predicate agreement? In grammar, the predicate is the part of a sentence that contains the verb and provides information about the subject. Predicate agreement refers to the need for the verb in a sentence to agree with the subject in both number and person.

For example, consider the sentence “The dog barks.” The subject is “the dog,” and the verb is “barks.” Since the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular to maintain proper predicate agreement. If the subject were plural, the verb would need to be plural as well. For instance, “The dogs bark.”

Another factor to consider in predicate agreement is the concept of person. In grammar, person refers to the perspective from which a sentence is being written or spoken. There are three main types of person: first-person (I, we), second-person (you), and third-person (he, she, it, they).

When writing, it`s important to maintain consistent person throughout a sentence. This means that if the subject is in third person, the verb should also be in third person. For example, “She walks to the store” is correct, while “She walk to the store” is not.

In some cases, maintaining predicate agreement may require additional attention. For instance, when dealing with collective nouns (such as team, family, or group), it can be tricky to determine whether to use a singular or plural verb. In these cases, it`s best to consider whether the collective noun is being treated as a whole entity or as individual members. For example, “The team is celebrating their victory” treats the team as a single entity, while “The team are all celebrating their victory” treats the members of the team as individuals.

Using proper predicate agreement can have a significant impact on the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. Not only does it ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct, but it also helps readers understand your intended meaning. As a copy editor, it`s crucial to not only be familiar with the concept of predicate agreement but also to be able to spot errors and provide clear explanations to writers. By mastering this aspect of grammar, you can help elevate the quality of any written content.