As a copy editor, it`s essential to understand the rules of grammar and syntax. One important aspect of writing is making sure that subjects and verbs agree in sentences. Here are some examples of sentences with proper agreement:

1. The cats and dogs live in harmony.

In this sentence, the subject “cats and dogs” is plural, so the verb “live” must be plural as well.

2. Every student in the class is responsible for their own work.

Here, the subject “every student” is singular, so the verb “is” must also be singular. However, the pronoun “their” is used because it`s a gender-neutral way to refer to individuals.

3. Neither the teacher nor the students were interested in the movie.

In this sentence, there are two subjects connected by “nor.” The verb “were” is plural because the subjects are plural.

4. The news from the latest election is causing concern among many citizens.

The subject “news” is singular, so the verb “is” is also singular.

5. The group of friends enjoys hiking in the mountains.

The subject “group” is singular, so the verb “enjoys” is also singular.

6. The team of scientists are working hard to find a cure for the disease.

In this sentence, “team” is singular, but “scientists” is plural. Therefore, the sentence can be rewritten for clarity, such as “The scientists on the team are working hard to find a cure for the disease.”

By using proper agreement between subjects and verbs, sentences become easier to read and understand. It`s important for copy editors to pay attention to these rules to ensure that the writing is clear and effective.