Subject-verb agreement is an essential element of effective writing. It ensures that the subject and verb in a sentence agree with each other in tense, number, and person. Among the many common grammar errors, subject-verb agreement mistakes are quite frequent, and they can make a text difficult to read and understand. One area of subject-verb agreement that often causes confusion is the use of the verb “has.”

The verb “has” is the third-person singular form of “have.” It is used to indicate possession or the presence of something. When using “has,” it is essential to pay attention to the subject of the sentence. If the subject is singular, “has” should be used, but if the subject is plural, “have” is the correct verb form.

For example:

– My sister has a cat. (singular subject)

– My sisters have cats. (plural subject)

It is also essential to consider the tense of the sentence when using “has.” If the subject is in the present tense, “has” is the correct form to use. If the subject is in the past tense, “had” should be used.

For example:

– He has a meeting tomorrow. (present tense)

– She had a meeting yesterday. (past tense)

Another important factor to consider is the subject-verb agreement in terms of person. In English sentences, the subject and verb must match in person. This means that if the subject is first person singular (“I”), the verb should be in the first-person singular form (“have”). If the subject is third person singular (“he,” “she,” “it”), the verb should be in the third-person singular form (“has”).

For example:

– I have a car. (first-person singular)

– He has a car. (third-person singular)

In summary, to ensure proper subject-verb agreement when using “has,” writers should consider the following:

– Use “has” when the subject is singular.

– Use “have” when the subject is plural.

– Use “has” with present tense subjects and “had” with past tense subjects.

– Match the subject and verb in person.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a vital component of effective writing. Using “has” correctly is just one aspect of this rule. Writers who pay attention to subject-verb agreement will produce clearer, more concise, and more effective texts that are easier to read and understand. As a copy editor with experience in SEO, keeping these rules in mind will help you to produce polished, professional content that will stand out in search engine rankings.