Rules of Agreement
When it comes to writing and editing, one of the most important aspects of grammar is agreement. This refers to ensuring that all elements in a sentence (such as subjects and verbs) are in agreement with one another in terms of number, person, and gender. Effective agreement can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Here are some key rules to follow when it comes to agreement in your writing:
1. Subject-verb agreement
One of the most important aspects of agreement is making sure that the subject and verb in a sentence are in agreement with one another. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural as well. For example:
– The dog barks (singular subject and singular verb)
– The dogs bark (plural subject and plural verb)
2. Pronoun-antecedent agreement
Another important aspect of agreement is making sure that pronouns and their antecedents agree in terms of gender and number. This means that if the antecedent is singular and masculine, the pronoun should be singular and masculine as well (e.g. „He went to the store”). If the antecedent is plural and feminine, the pronoun should be plural and feminine (e.g. „They went to the store”).
3. Collective nouns
Collective nouns (such as team, committee, and family) refer to a group of individuals. When using a collective noun as the subject of a sentence, it`s important to ensure that the verb agrees with the noun in terms of whether it refers to the group as a whole or to its individual members. For example:
– The team is playing well (referring to the team as a single unit)
– The team are all wearing different jerseys (referring to the individual members of the team)
4. Indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns (such as anyone, everyone, and nobody) are often used in place of specific nouns. When using these pronouns, it`s important to ensure that the verb agrees with the pronoun in terms of whether it refers to a single entity or multiple entities. For example:
– Everyone is happy (referring to a single group)
– Nobody wants to leave (referring to a single group)
In conclusion, ensuring agreement in your writing is essential for clear and effective communication. By following these rules and paying close attention to the relationships between the elements in each sentence, you can ensure that your writing is grammatically correct, easy to read, and optimized for SEO.