As a professional, I understand the importance of ensuring that your content is not only grammatically correct, but also optimized for search engines. One common grammar mistake that can affect your SEO is subject-verb agreement errors.

Subject-verb agreement refers to the point in a sentence where the subject and verb must agree in number, whether singular or plural. This can be tricky, especially when there are modifiers or phrases that can confuse the agreement. However, getting subject-verb agreement correct is important because it can affect the clarity and readability of your content, and not to mention, your overall SEO performance.

To help you avoid subject-verb agreement errors, I have compiled an answer key that includes some common examples of these mistakes. Take a look below to see if you can identify the correct subject-verb agreement.

1. The group of birds (is, are) flying south for the winter.

Answer: The group of birds is flying south for the winter.

2. The cellist, along with the other musicians, (plays, play) beautifully.

Answer: The cellist, along with the other musicians, plays beautifully.

3. Either the cats or the dog (is, are) going to the veterinarian today.

Answer: Either the cats or the dog is going to the veterinarian today.

4. The number of attendees at the conference (has, have) decreased significantly.

Answer: The number of attendees at the conference has decreased significantly.

5. The debate over the new policy (has, have) been ongoing for weeks now.

Answer: The debate over the new policy has been ongoing for weeks now.

6. The list of items to pack for the trip (includes, include) clothes, toiletries, and a camera.

Answer: The list of items to pack for the trip includes clothes, toiletries, and a camera.

7. One of the girls in the class (has, have) a talent for math.

Answer: One of the girls in the class has a talent for math.

8. The team that won the championship trophy (was, were) celebrating their victory.

Answer: The team that won the championship trophy was celebrating their victory.

By understanding subject-verb agreement and avoiding common errors, you can ensure that your content is grammatically correct and optimized for SEO. Remember, proper grammar can lead to higher rankings, improved engagement, and more conversions. So take the time to review your content and ensure that it is free from subject-verb agreement errors to reap the benefits of good grammar.