Verb Gender Agreement

As a copy editor, one of the things I often encounter is the issue of verb gender agreement. This refers to the agreement between the gender of the subject pronoun and the gender of the verb in a sentence. In many languages, including English, there are separate pronouns for males and females, and it is important to use the appropriate verb form that agrees with the gender of the subject pronoun.

For example, the sentence „He walks to the store“ contains a male subject pronoun (he) and a verb (walks) that agrees with the gender of the subject. However, if we change the subject pronoun to a female pronoun, we need to change the verb accordingly: „She walks to the store.“ This is a simple and straightforward example of verb gender agreement, but there are many cases where this rule can be more complex.

One of the most common areas where verb gender agreement can be tricky is when dealing with gender-neutral pronouns, such as „they“ or „them.“ While these pronouns are becoming increasingly common and accepted in modern English, there is still some debate over how they should be used in terms of verb agreement. Some people believe that these pronouns should always be treated as plural, and therefore take plural verbs (e.g. „They are going to the store“). Others argue that these pronouns can be used as singular, and therefore take singular verbs (e.g. „They is going to the store“).

The truth is that there is no one correct answer to this debate, as usage varies depending on context and personal preference. However, it is important for copy editors to be aware of this issue and use their judgment when encountering gender-neutral pronouns in their work.

Another area where verb gender agreement can be complex is in languages with more than two genders, such as some African or Native American languages. In these cases, the verb must agree with not only the gender of the subject pronoun, but also the specific gender class of the noun being referred to. This requires a deep understanding of the language and its grammar rules, as well as careful attention to detail when editing.

In conclusion, verb gender agreement is an important rule in many languages, including English. Copy editors must be mindful of this rule and ensure that verbs agree with the gender of the subject pronoun, as well as the specific gender class of the noun being referred to (in languages with more than two genders). By taking the time to check for proper verb gender agreement, copy editors can help ensure that their writing is clear, accurate, and grammatically correct.