What are the common errors in subject-verb agreement in essays?

The common errors in subject-verb agreement in essays include:

1. Singular subject with a plural verb: When a singular subject is used, it should be paired with a singular verb. For example, "The dog chase the ball" should be corrected to "The dog chases the ball."

2. Plural subject with a singular verb: When a plural subject is used, it should be paired with a plural verb. For example, "The dogs chases the ball" should be corrected to "The dogs chase the ball."

3. Indefinite pronouns: Indefinite pronouns such as "everyone," "someone," or "nobody" are singular and should be paired with singular verbs. For example, "Everyone were happy" should be corrected to "Everyone was happy."

4. Collective nouns: Collective nouns, which refer to a group of individuals, can be singular or plural depending on the context. When referring to the group as a whole, a singular verb should be used. For example, "The team is playing well" is correct, while "The team are playing well" is incorrect.

5. Intervening phrases: Phrases or clauses that come between the subject and verb can sometimes cause errors in subject-verb agreement. It is important to ensure that the verb agrees with the subject, regardless of any intervening words. For example, "The book, along with the pen, were on the table" should be corrected to "The book, along with the pen, was on the table."

6. Compound subjects: When two or more subjects are joined by "and," the verb should be plural. For example, "John and Mary is going to the party" should be corrected to "John and Mary are going to the party."

7. Inverted word order: In sentences with inverted word order, where the subject comes after the verb, it is important to ensure that the verb agrees with the subject. For example, "There is many books on the shelf" should be corrected to "There are many books on the shelf."

It is important to carefully review and edit essays to correct these common errors in subject-verb agreement.