Subject-Verb Agreement (SVA) in Academic Writing (1).pdf

Subject-Verb Agreement (SVA) in Academic Writing

1. Mamta Chhabriya
Subject-Verb Agreement (SVA)
in Academic Writing

2. Why does SVA matter in research
writing?

?????? It affects the clarity, credibility, and
professionalism of your academic
writing.

3. Learning Objectives
●Understand the rules of Subject-Verb
Agreement (SVA)
●Identify and correct common SVA errors
in nursing academic writing
●Apply correct SVA in research reports,
case studies, and scholarly writing

4. Rule 1 – Basic Agreement
Rule: A singular subject takes a singular verb. A
plural subject takes a plural verb.
?????? Examples :
●The nurse monitors the patient closely. ✅
●The nurses monitor the patients closely. ✅
●⚠ Error: The nurse monitor the patient. ❌

5. Rule 2 – Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects
Some pronouns are always singular: everyone, each,
someone, nobody, either, neither etc.
?????? Examples:
●Each patient receives a different dosage.
●Everyone needs to follow isolation protocols.
⚠ Common Mistake: Each of the patients have a file. ❌
✅ Correct: Each of the patients has a file.

6. Rule 3 – Collective Nouns
Collective nouns (staff, team, committee) are usually
treated as singular in academic writing.
?????? Examples:
●The nursing staff is well-trained. ✅
●The committee decides the protocol. ✅
?????? Note: British English may treat collective nouns as
plural, but academic writing prefers singular usage.

7. Rule 4 – Subjects Joined by 'And'
Two singular nouns joined by "and" take a plural verb.
?????? Example:
●The doctor and the nurse work together in the ICU. ✅
⚠ But when seen as one unit:
Rice and curry is his lunch. ✅
Bread and butter is my favourite food. ✅

8. Rule 5 – Subjects Joined by 'Or' / 'Nor'
When two nouns are joined by "or" or "nor", the verb
agrees with the closest subject.
?????? Examples:
●Neither the nurse nor the patients were ready.
●Either the monitors or the doctor is responsible. ✅

9. Rule 6 – Intervening Phrases
Ignore phrases between subject and verb when
determining agreement.
?????? Example:
●The quality of the reports is improving. ✅
●The condition of the patients has worsened. ✅
⚠ Common Error: The quality of the reports are
improving. ❌

10. Common SVA Errors:
❌ The staff are following the SOPs.
✅ The staff is following the SOPs.
❌ Each nurse and doctor have submitted a report.
✅ Each nurse and doctor has submitted a report.
❌ There is patients waiting in the hallway.
✅ There are patients waiting in the hallway.

11. EXAMPLES:
●The committee of senior nurses has reviewed the latest
infection control protocols.
●Each of the case reports highlight a different symptom
progression.
●The effectiveness of these interventions depend on timely
implementation.
●The nursing staff is responsible for maintaining accurate
documentation.
●The levels of cortisol in ICU patients appear to rise during the
night shift.

12. EXAMPLES:
●Either the nurse or the residents assists with the post-op
evaluation.
●Neither the monitors nor the attending physician have
responded to the alert.
●A number of studies has shown the importance of early
mobilization.
●The data from the recent study supports the use of
simulation-based training.
●Each nurse and assistant have been trained on the new
patient-care software.

13. EXAMPLES:
●The principal investigator, along with her co-authors,
have submitted the manuscript.
●There is several gaps in the documentation process.
●The series of clinical observations provide insight into
patient recovery trends.
●The findings from the trials was consistent across all
settings.
●One of the most common challenges in nursing
research are maintaining ethical standards.

14. EXAMPLES:
●The statistical analysis, along with figures and tables,
highlight the outcomes effectively.
●The guidelines for wound care needs to be revised based on
recent evidence.
●The nurse educator and the clinical coordinator plans to
revise the curriculum.
●Neither the blood pressure readings nor the lab values
suggests a serious concern.
●The preoperative checklist, including medications and
vitals, are completed by the staff.

15. EXAMPLES:
●A team of nurse practitioners (was/were) assigned to
each patient.
●The outcomes of this research study
(demonstrates/demonstrate) improved patient safety.
●Neither of the patients (has/have) responded to the
treatment.
●Every nurse in the pediatric ward (receives/receive)
weekly training.
●The data collected during night shifts (reveal/reveals) an
increase in medication errors.

16. EXAMPLES:
●A group of students (was/were) selected for the
community outreach program.
●The correlation between nurse burnout and shift length
(remains/remain) underexplored.
●The head nurse, along with the department leads,
(was/were) present at the seminar.
●The observations made during the simulation exercises
(supports/support) the hypothesis.
●The emergency response system (fail/fails) during peak
hours, according to the audit.

17. THANK YOU