As a copy editor, one of the most common grammar errors I come across is subject-verb agreement. This is when the subject of a sentence and the verb do not match in number. This mistake can make your writing difficult to read, confusing, and can harm your SEO efforts.

When it comes to SEO, search engines like Google use algorithms to scan and analyze your website content. If your content has poor grammar, it can affect your search engine rankings. So, it`s crucial to ensure your subject and verb agree in number to improve your SEO efforts. Here are some incorrect examples to avoid:

1. Incorrect: The group of tourists was taking pictures of the elephants.

In this example, « group » is singular, but the verb « was » is plural. The correct sentence should be « The group of tourists were taking pictures of the elephants. »

2. Incorrect: The team of developers are working on the new app.

In this example, « team » is singular, but the verb « are » is plural. The correct sentence should be « The team of developers is working on the new app. »

3. Incorrect: The list of items on the menu were extensive.

In this example, « list » is singular, but the verb « were » is plural. The correct sentence should be « The list of items on the menu was extensive. »

4. Incorrect: The population of the city are very diverse.

In this example, « population » is singular, but the verb « are » is plural. The correct sentence should be « The population of the city is very diverse. »

5. Incorrect: The group of children were playing on the playground.

In this example, « group » is singular, but the verb « were » is plural. The correct sentence should be « The group of children was playing on the playground. »

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential component of good writing and SEO. By paying attention to the number of your subject and verb, you can ensure that your content is easy to read and understand for your audience and search engines. Always check your writing for subject-verb agreement errors to improve your search engine rankings and writing skills.