Agreement is Place: The Importance of Consistency in Writing
As a writer, one of the most important aspects to keep in mind is consistency. Consistency in writing allows readers to understand what you’re trying to convey without any confusion or ambiguity. One key area where consistency is essential is in agreement.
Agreement in writing refers to the matching of verbs and subjects in a sentence. Simply put, if the subject is singular, the verb should be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural. For example, in the sentence ‘The cat sleeps,’ ‘cat’ is the subject and ‘sleeps’ is the verb. The subject is singular, and so, is matched with a singular verb.
Agreement in writing may seem like a small detail, but it can make a significant difference in the understanding and clarity of a piece of writing. Inconsistent agreement creates confusion for readers and can make your writing appear unprofessional.
There are a few rules to keep in mind when dealing with agreement in writing:
1. Singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require plural verbs.
2. Compound subjects joined by `and` require a plural verb. For example, ‘Mike and Sarah are going to the movies.’
3. If a subject is singular but represents a group or a company, it is followed by a plural verb. For example, ‘Microsoft has offices all over the world.’
4. In sentences that begin with ‘there is’ or ‘there are,’ the verb should agree with the noun following it. For example, ‘There are two cats in the yard.’
5. Indefinite pronouns (such as ‘someone,’ ‘everyone,’ ‘anyone,’ etc.) are always singular and require a singular verb. For example, ‘Everyone is invited to the party.’
Maintaining consistent agreement in writing is not only important for comprehensibility, but it also plays a vital role in search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines use algorithms to rank web pages, and one of the factors considered is the use of proper grammar and consistent agreement. Pages with good grammar and consistent agreement tend to rank higher in search results.
In conclusion, consistent agreement in writing is vital for clear and professional communication. It’s a small detail that can have a significant impact on how readers perceive your writing, and it can also have an effect on search engine ranking. Taking the time to ensure that subjects and verbs agree is a worthwhile investment in your writing.