Percent and Verb Agreement: A Guide for Copy Editors
As a copy editor, it’s important to know how to navigate the rules of grammar and style to ensure that the content you’re editing is clear, concise, and correct. One area where writers often struggle is with percent and verb agreement. In this article, we’ll explore the rules for using percent and verbs correctly, so you can make sure the content you’re working on is polished and effective.
First, let’s define what we mean by percent and verb agreement. When writing about a percentage, it’s important to use the correct verb form to match the subject of the sentence. For example, if you’re writing about a group of people, you need to use a plural verb form. If you’re writing about a single entity, you need to use a singular verb form.
Here are a few examples:
– 50% of the people in the room were wearing masks. (plural verb form because “people” is plural)
– 25% of the budget is allocated for marketing. (singular verb form because “budget” is singular)
It’s also important to keep in mind that percentages are often rounded or estimated, so you may need to use your judgment to determine if a singular or plural verb is more appropriate. For example, if you’re writing about a survey where 45% of respondents said they prefer coffee to tea, you could argue that either a singular or plural verb form is acceptable, since the number of respondents isn’t specified.
In addition to subject-verb agreement, there are a few other points to consider when writing about percentages. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
– Use the % symbol instead of spelling out “percent.”
– Use numerals for percentages (e.g. 50%) instead of writing them out as words (e.g. fifty percent).
– Be consistent in how you write percentages. If you use the % symbol in one instance, use it consistently throughout the document.
Finally, be aware that some style guides may have specific rules for how to write percentages. For example, The Associated Press Stylebook recommends using numerals for percentages, while The Chicago Manual of Style recommends writing out percentages as words for numbers less than 100. Make sure you’re familiar with the style guide being used for the document you’re editing, so you can follow the correct rules.
In conclusion, when editing content that includes percentages, it’s important to ensure that the subject and verb are in agreement, and that the style and formatting are consistent throughout the document. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be able to help writers produce polished and effective content that accurately communicates the intended message.