Unlocking Perfect Grammar: The Key to Exceptional Scientific Writing

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of the English language and is essential for clear and effective communication in scientific writing. However, it is also one of the most common grammatical mistakes made by writers, especially in scientific writing. In this blog, we will discuss subject-verb agreement in scientific writing, common mistakes, and provide examples to help you avoid these errors.

Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical rule that states that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. This means that a singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject requires a plural verb. For example:

• The researcher conducts experiments. (singular subject and verb)
• The researchers conduct experiments. (plural subject and verb)

The easiest way to determine subject-verb agreement is to identify the subject of the sentence and then choose the correct form of the verb based on whether the subject is singular or plural.

However, subject-verb agreement can become more complex when the subject is separated from the verb by intervening words or phrases, such as prepositional phrases, clauses, or modifiers. For example:

• The data collected from the experiment suggests that the hypothesis is correct.

In this example, the subject is “data,” which is a plural noun. However, the verb “suggests” is singular because it agrees with the singular noun “hypothesis,” which is the subject of the clause “that the hypothesis is correct.”

Common Mistakes in Subject-Verb Agreement in Scientific Writing:

1. Indefinite Pronouns: Indefinite pronouns, such as “each,” “every,” “any,” and “none,” are singular and require a singular verb. For example:

• Each sample was analyzed carefully.
• None of the experiments were successful. (Incorrect)

2. Collective Nouns: Collective nouns, such as “team,” “committee,” and “group,” can be either singular or plural, depending on whether they are viewed as a single entity or as individuals. For example:

• The research team is presenting their findings. (Incorrect)
• The research team is presenting its findings.

3. Compound Subjects: Compound subjects, joined by “and,” are plural and require a plural verb. For example:

• The experiments and the analysis were time-consuming.

4. Compound Nouns: Compound nouns that are singular and treated as one unit require a singular verb. For example:

• The data analysis was thorough.

5. Relative Clauses: Relative clauses, which provide additional information about the subject, do not affect subject-verb agreement. For example:

• The hypothesis that the researcher proposed has been tested.

Tips to Avoid Subject-Verb Agreement Mistakes:

1. Identify the subject of the sentence and ensure that the verb agrees with it in number.
2. Pay attention to intervening words and phrases that may affect subject-verb agreement.
3. Use indefinite pronouns and collective nouns correctly.
4. Understand the difference between singular and plural compound subjects and compound nouns.
5. Practice proofreading and editing your work for subject-verb agreement errors.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of clear and effective scientific writing. Common mistakes, such as indefinite pronouns, collective nouns, compound subjects, and compound nouns, can be easily avoided by understanding the rules and proofreading your work carefully. By following these tips, you can improve your writing and communicate your research more effectively.

By: GlobalEdits Team