Agreements of Verb: A Crucial Aspect of Effective Writing
If you’ve ever studied grammar in school, chances are, you’ve come across the concept of agreements of verb. Essentially, this refers to the way in which the subject of a sentence and the verb used to describe that subject must agree in terms of number and person.
While it might seem like a small detail, the correct use of agreements of verb is crucial for effective writing, whether you’re crafting a blog post, a press release, or even just an email. Here’s what you need to know about agreements of verb and why they matter.
What are agreements of verb?
In simplest terms, agreements of verb refer to the way in which the subject and verb of a sentence must match. This means that if you have a singular subject (such as “he” or “she”), you need a singular verb (such as “runs” or “is”). If you have a plural subject (such as “they” or “we”), you need a plural verb (such as “run” or “are”).
Here are a few examples:
– Incorrect: The mice in the attic is causing a problem.
– Correct: The mice in the attic are causing a problem.
– Incorrect: The athlete and his coach disagree on the strategy.
– Correct: The athlete and his coach disagree on the strategy.
It’s also important to note that agreements of verb apply to tense as well. For example, if you’re writing in the present tense, your verb should reflect that with an “-s” added to the end for third-person singular subjects.
Why do agreements of verb matter?
There are a few key reasons why it’s crucial to pay attention to agreements of verb in your writing:
1. Clarity: Incorrect agreements of verb can make a sentence confusing or even unintelligible. If your subject and verb don’t match, your reader might have to pause and re-read the sentence to understand what you’re trying to say.
2. Professionalism: Solid grammar skills are a hallmark of professional writing. If you’re sending an email to a superior, for example, errors in agreements of verb can make you look careless or uneducated.
3. SEO: Agreement of verb is considered as an important factor in SEO. If your website or blog contains poor grammar, search engines will not give it a higher ranking.
Tips for mastering agreements of verb
If you’re struggling to get the hang of agreements of verb, here are a few tips to help you improve:
1. Identify the subject: Before you start writing a sentence, identify the main subject so that you can make sure the verb matches in terms of number and person.
2. Practice: Like any skill, mastering agreements of verb takes practice. Take the time to review your writing and make corrections when necessary.
3. Use a grammar checker: If you’re not confident in your own abilities, try using a grammar checker to help you catch any errors in agreements of verb (or other aspects of grammar).
Effective communication is all about attention to detail. By mastering agreements of verb, you can ensure that your writing is clear, professional, and effective.