Subject-verb agreement errors in PDFs can be problematic for readers and can negatively affect the credibility of the writer or organization. These errors occur when the subject and verb in a sentence do not agree in number. For example, “The group of students is going on a field trip” is correct, but “The group of students are going on a field trip” is incorrect.
Subject-verb agreement errors can be particularly difficult to spot in PDFs because they may not be flagged by spell-check programs and may go unnoticed during the proofreading process. However, these errors can still harm the clarity and professionalism of a document.
To avoid subject-verb agreement errors in PDFs, it’s important to understand the basic rules of agreement. Singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require plural verbs. When a subject is composed of multiple nouns or pronouns connected by “and,” the verb should also be plural. For example, “John and Jane are going to the store.”
When a subject is composed of multiple nouns or pronouns connected by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the closest noun or pronoun. For example, “Neither the dog nor the cat is allowed on the couch.”
It’s also important to pay attention to indefinite pronouns, such as “everyone,” “someone,” and “anyone,” which are always singular and require singular verbs. For example, “Everyone has their own opinions” is incorrect, and should be “Everyone has their own opinion.”
To avoid subject-verb agreement errors in PDF documents, it’s important to proofread carefully, pay attention to the number of subjects and verbs in each sentence, and consult a grammar guide if necessary. By taking these simple steps, you can ensure that your PDF documents are clear, professional, and error-free.