Subject and predicate

One rule of grammar is that subject and predicate must agree in number; a singular subject takes a singular predicate and a plural subject takes a plural predicate.

Incorrect example

“Since the merits of the Law Review’s selection policy has been the subject of commentary for the last three issues … ” The writer has used a plural subject (merits) and a singular verb (has). You can tell just from the sound that merits has is incorrect.

Corrected

“Since the merits of the Law Review’s selection policy have been the subject of commentary for the last three issues … ” Plural subject and plural verb.

Incorrect example

“Approximately half of this first batch is chosen ... the other half are selected ... ” The writer has used a plural subject (half) and a singular verb (is) and a plural verb (are). Again, you know something is wrong just by the sound: half is and half are.

Corrected

“Approximately half of this first batch are chosen ... the other half are selected ... ” Plural subject, plural verb, plural verb.

The two grammatically incorrect sentences were written by Barack Obama, when he was president of the Harvard Law Review. He made these two errors, and others, in a letter about affirmative action.

The Takeaway: Yes, your readers may be able to guess what you mean even if you use incorrect grammar. However, they will resent you for forcing them to guess and they will wonder if you are ill-educated. Learn (or re-learn) your grammar; it takes only 100 hours, less time than the average American spends watching television in three weeks.

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