You want to proofread like an expert.
But often, when you’re struggling over the grammar of a particular sentence, you can’t see the forest for the trees.
You can get so caught up in the very specific problem that you can’t see that the problem isn’t the problem at all.
Did that make any sense?
Probably not.
OK, let me try again.
Sometimes when a grammar problem presents itself and you can’t figure out how to solve it, the problem isn’t the grammar issue at all.
The problem is that the sentence is poorly written.
Try rewriting the entire sentence.
More often than not, the grammar problem will take care of itself when the sentence is worked out.
Here’s an example.
A sentence started out with, “The oldest of my sons has…”
Should the verb be ‘has’ or should it be ‘have?’
Both could be right.
And both would be wrong.
Verb choice is actually not the primary problem.
The problem is that the sentence is written with a vague and undefined subject.
In ‘the oldest of my sons’ the subject is ‘sons’ which would require the verb ‘have.’
But logic tells us that ‘the oldest of my sons’ is referring to a specific child, and a singular subject would require the verb ‘has.’
However, ‘has’ just sounds wrong.
Rather than debating which verb form should be used, how about revising the sentence to clearly identify the subject?
If the sentence read, “My oldest son has…” the subject would clearly be ‘son’ in which case, the verb ‘has’ is obviously the right choice.
Keep this in mind the next time you are struggling over a grammar issue.
Try reworking the entire sentence, and the grammar problem might just work itself out.
This is a PSA from your favorite English teacher, who wants to show you how to proofread like an expert.
Liz Brenner
Everyone has a story to tell.
Even you.
Especially you.
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