Subject-verb agreement is one of the most basic and fundamental rules of grammar that copy editors must master. It is essential to ensure that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number and person. This is important not just for clarity and readability, but also for search engine optimization (SEO). Here are 24 rules of subject-verb agreement that every copy editor should know:

1. Singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require plural verbs.

2. Collective nouns, such as team or group, can be either singular or plural depending on the context of the sentence.

3. Indefinite pronouns, such as everyone, someone, and nobody, are always singular.

4. Subjects connected by “and” are plural, and require plural verbs.

5. When two subjects are connected by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closer to it.

6. When a singular subject is connected by “or” or “nor” with a plural subject, the verb agrees with the closest subject.

7. Singular subjects that end with “s” require singular verbs.

8. Words that indicate quantity, such as “each,” “every,” and “many,” are always singular.

9. Whenever “there” is the subject of a sentence, the verb agrees with the following noun.

10. Titles of books, movies, and other works that are singular require singular verbs.

11. Titles of books, movies, and other works that are plural require plural verbs.

12. Nouns that end in -ics, such as economics or politics, are always singular.

13. “None” can either be singular or plural depending on the context of the sentence.

14. When a subject is a fraction, the verb agrees with the numerator.

15. When subjects are joined by “and,” but are considered a single entity, use a singular verb.

16. Words that indicate amounts, such as “a lot,” “a great deal,” and “a ton,” are always singular.

17. When the subject is a time word, such as “minutes” or “hours,” use a plural verb.

18. When comparing two things, the verb should agree with the first subject.

19. When using “one of” or “some of,” the verb agrees with the noun that follows.

20. When using “either…or” or “neither…nor,” the verb agrees with the closer subject.

21. When a subject is interrupted by a phrase or clause, the verb still agrees with the subject.

22. When using “more than one” or “less than one,” the verb agrees with the noun that follows.

23. When using “who” or “that” to refer to people, the verb agrees with the noun that follows.

24. When using “who” or “that” to refer to things or ideas, use a singular verb.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of good grammar and writing. By following these 24 rules of subject-verb agreement, copy editors can ensure that their content is clear, concise, and optimized for search engines. Remember, when it comes to subject-verb agreement, consistency is key.