How to Avoid Common English Mistakes in Tech: Subject-Verb Agreement for Developers
Introduction
If you’re a developer, data scientist, or work in a technical field, you might find that communicating your ideas clearly in English is one of your biggest challenges. Even if you know your code inside and out, expressing yourself in clear, grammatically correct English can make a huge difference, especially in written communication like emails, reports, and documentation.
In this post, we’ll focus on one of the most common grammar issues that can trip up even experienced tech professionals—subject-verb agreement. By the end of this post, you’ll understand why it’s important to get it right, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.
What Is Subject-Verb Agreement?
Subject-verb agreement is the rule that the subject and verb in a sentence must match in number (singular or plural). Sounds simple, right? But in tech writing, where complex terminology is often used, subject-verb agreement can get tricky. Here are some examples to clarify:
Correct: The server is down.
Incorrect: The server are down.
Even though the word "server" might seem like it could be plural, it’s singular, so the verb must be "is," not "are."
Common Subject-Verb Agreement Mistakes in Tech Writing
1. Plural vs. Singular Collective Nouns
In tech, we often refer to a group of things as a single entity (a team, a system, etc.). This can lead to confusion, especially when using these collective nouns in sentences.
Incorrect: The team are reviewing the code.
Correct: The team is reviewing the code.
Even though a team consists of multiple people, the word "team" is singular, so we use the singular verb is.
2. Using Technical Terms Like "Data" and "Information"
In everyday English, we think of data as a plural word (it sounds like "datas," right?), but in scientific or technical contexts, data is treated as singular.
Incorrect: The data were processed.
Correct: The data is processed.
Another example:
Incorrect: The information were sent to the server.
Correct: The information was sent to the server.
Even though data and information refer to collections of things, they are often treated as singular in technical contexts.
3. Compound Subjects
When there are multiple subjects connected by "and," it can confuse subject-verb agreement, especially when one subject is singular and the other is plural.
Incorrect: The developer and the manager is working together.
Correct: The developer and the manager are working together.
When two subjects are connected with "and," the verb must be plural, no matter what the individual subjects are.
But if the subjects are connected by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it.
Correct: The developer or the testers are responsible for the code.
Correct: The developer or the manager is responsible for the project.
4. Confusion with Indefinite Pronouns
Certain indefinite pronouns can cause confusion. For example, words like everyone, nobody, and each are singular, but often sound like they should be plural.
Incorrect: Each of the employees are given their tasks.
Correct: Each of the employees is given their task.
Even though employees is plural, the word "each" makes the subject singular. So, the verb must be is.
Why Does Subject-Verb Agreement Matter in Tech Writing?
In the tech world, clarity is crucial. Small grammar mistakes can make a huge difference in how your ideas are received. Whether you’re writing a bug report, documenting code, or drafting an email, subject-verb agreement ensures that your message is both clear and professional. Here’s how:
- Clarity: A sentence with correct subject-verb agreement is easier to understand. Mistakes can cause confusion about whether you're talking about a singular or plural subject, leading to misinterpretation.
- Professionalism: In global teams, language can be a barrier. When you write with proper grammar, you show respect for your audience, which is crucial for building credibility and trust.
- Efficiency: When your writing is grammatically correct, your team will spend less time clarifying what you mean. This is especially important in fast-paced tech environments where time is of the essence.
Practical Tips for Improving Your Subject-Verb Agreement
- Pay attention to collective nouns like "team," "group," and "company," and remember that they’re treated as singular in most cases.
- Use grammar checkers like Grammarly or Hemingway to help you catch errors, especially with tricky terms like "data" or "information."
- Practice writing short, clear sentences. Try to avoid complex constructions, and keep your subjects and verbs close together in a sentence.
- Read your work aloud to hear if the subject and verb agree. If something feels off, go back and check.
- Create templates for common sentences you write regularly (like email replies or status reports) and make sure they follow proper subject-verb agreement.
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