Subject Verb Agreement of Do: An Overview
As a copy editor, one of the most common mistakes I come across is incorrect subject-verb agreement. This error can be especially prevalent when using the verb “do”. In this article, we will explore the rules surrounding subject-verb agreement when using “do”, as well as provide tips for avoiding these errors in your writing.
The basic rule for subject-verb agreement with “do” is that it should match the subject in both number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third). For example, if the subject is singular, such as “he”, “she”, or “it”, the form “does” should be used: “She does her homework every night”. If the subject is plural, such as “they”, the form “do” should be used: “They do their homework every night”.
One area where people often struggle with subject-verb agreement is when the subject contains multiple nouns or pronouns, some of which are singular and some of which are plural. In this case, the verb should match the noun or pronoun closest to it. For example, in the sentence “The dog and the cats do not get along”, the subject closest to the verb is “cats”, which is plural, so the correct form of the verb is “do”.
Another common error occurs when using “do” as an auxiliary verb in questions or negative sentences. In these cases, it is important to remember that the subject still determines the form of the verb. For example, in the sentence “Does he like ice cream?”, the singular subject “he” requires the form “does”, while in the sentence “Do they like ice cream?”, the plural subject “they” requires the form “do”. Similarly, in negative sentences, the form “do not” should be used with plural subjects, while “does not” or “doesn`t” should be used with singular subjects.
Here are some additional tips for avoiding subject-verb agreement errors with “do”:
– When in doubt, check the subject and verb together to make sure they match. Don`t be fooled by other words in the sentence, such as prepositional phrases or adjectives, that may come between the subject and verb.
– Remember that some nouns, such as “news”, “mathematics”, and “darts”, are always singular, even though they may refer to multiple things. In these cases, the form “does” should be used: “The news does not always report on positive events”.
– Be careful with compound subjects joined by “and”. If both subjects are plural, the form “do” should be used, while if one or both are singular, the form “does” should be used: “The dogs and the cat do not get along”, but “The dog and the lizard does not get along”.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement can be a tricky area of grammar, especially when using the verb “do”. However, by understanding the basic rules and following these tips, you can avoid common errors and improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.