Proper Subject-Verb Agreement: A Key to Effective and SEO-friendly Writing
As a copy editor, you know that writing is an art. It involves creativity, clarity, and precision. But more than that, writing is a science, too. It follows rules and structures that ensure the proper communication of ideas. One of the fundamental rules of writing is subject-verb agreement.
Subject-verb agreement is the agreement between the subject and the verb in a sentence. It means that the subject and the verb must match in number and person. For example, in the sentence „The dog barks,“ the subject (dog) is singular, so the verb (barks) must also be singular. If the subject were plural, the verb would be plural, as in the sentence „The dogs bark.“
Why is proper subject-verb agreement important in writing?
Firstly, subject-verb agreement ensures the clarity of the message. Mismatched subjects and verbs can confuse the readers and obscure the meaning of the sentence. This confusion can lead to misinterpretation and miscommunication, which can be detrimental to the writer`s intention.
Secondly, proper subject-verb agreement is also essential for SEO or search engine optimization. SEO is the practice of optimizing content to rank higher on search engine result pages. Search engines like Google use algorithms that analyze the quality and relevance of the content. Proper grammar, including subject-verb agreement, is a factor in the algorithm`s evaluation of the content`s quality. Therefore, content that follows proper grammar rules, including subject-verb agreement, has a higher chance of ranking higher on search engine result pages.
How to ensure proper subject-verb agreement?
1. Identify the subject: The subject is the person, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. It can be a noun, pronoun, or gerund. Identifying the subject will help you choose the appropriate verb.
2. Determine the number and person of the subject: The number of the subject can be singular or plural, while the person can be first, second, or third. The verb must match the number and person of the subject.
3. Be mindful of tricky subjects: Some subjects may appear singular but are actually plural, such as „the team,“ „the group,“ or „the committee.“ In this case, the verb must be plural as well. Other subjects, such as „every,“ „each,“ or „either,“ are always singular, and the verb must match.
4. Pay attention to compound subjects: Compound subjects are subjects composed of two or more nouns or pronouns joined by „and.“ In this case, the verb must be plural.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule of writing that ensures clarity, precision, and SEO-friendliness. By following the tips mentioned above, writers and copy editors can ensure that their content follows proper grammar rules and is optimized for search engines. Always remember, proper grammar is not only good writing practice but also good SEO practice.