Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of grammar that every writer and editor must know. It ensures that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number and person. When it comes to passive voice, subject-verb agreement can be a bit tricky, but it is essential to maintain proper syntax and clarity in writing.

Before we delve into subject-verb agreement in passive voice, let`s first understand what passive voice is. Passive voice is a type of sentence structure where the subject receives the action, rather than performing it. For example, “The cake was baked by John” instead of “John baked the cake.”

To maintain subject-verb agreement in passive voice, the verb should agree with the subject, which is in the object position. In the example above, the subject of the sentence is “cake,” which is singular, so the verb “was” must also be singular, and not “were.” If the subject is plural, the verb should be plural. For instance, “The cakes were baked by John.”

However, in some cases, it may be challenging to determine the correct verb form for irregular verbs. Irregular verbs are verbs that do not follow the standard rules of verb conjugation. For instance, the past tense of “go” is “went,” not “goed.” In these cases, the past participle is used to form passive voice sentences. For instance, “The car has been driven by John.”

It is also essential to ensure that the subject of the sentence remains the main focus, even in passive voice sentences. Passive voice may be useful in some instances, such as when the writer wants to emphasize the object of the action or when the subject is unknown or unimportant. However, overuse of passive voice can make the writing dull and confusing.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement in passive voice is crucial for clear and effective writing. It ensures that the sentence structure is correct and the intended meaning is conveyed. As a professional, it is essential to pay attention to subject-verb agreement in passive voice to optimize the content for search engines. By using proper grammar and sentence structure, the content will be more readable and accessible to readers and search engines alike.