Agreement of subject and verb is a crucial aspect of writing that is often overlooked. It can make or break the clarity and coherence of a piece of writing. In fact, errors in subject-verb agreement can also affect the SEO of a website, making it harder for search engines to understand and rank the content. In this article, we will discuss what subject-verb agreement is, why it is important for SEO, and how to ensure proper agreement in your writing.
What is subject-verb agreement?
Subject-verb agreement refers to the relationship between the subject of a sentence and the verb that follows it. The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that performs the action of the sentence. The verb is the action or state of being that the subject performs. In English grammar, these two elements must agree in number and person. For example, a singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject requires a plural verb.
Why is subject-verb agreement important for SEO?
Subject-verb agreement is important for SEO because it affects the readability of your content. Search engines like Google prioritize user experience, and readability is a crucial component of that. If your writing contains errors in subject-verb agreement, it can be difficult for readers to understand the content. This can lead to higher bounce rates, lower engagement, and ultimately, lower search engine rankings.
How to ensure proper subject-verb agreement in your writing
1. Identify the subject: To ensure proper subject-verb agreement, you first need to identify the subject of your sentence. Look for the person, place, thing, or idea that is performing the action.
Example: The dog barks at the mailman.
2. Determine the number: Once you have identified the subject, determine whether it is singular or plural. If the subject is singular, the verb that follows must also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Example: The dog barks at the mailman. (singular)
The dogs bark at the mailman. (plural)
3. Check for consistency: In some cases, the subject of a sentence may be compound, meaning it includes two or more subjects. In such cases, ensure that the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
Example: The dog and the cat chase each other. (plural)
4. Watch out for tricky cases: There are some cases where subject-verb agreement can be tricky. For example, collective nouns (e.g. team, group) are singular, but may refer to multiple individuals. In such cases, consider the context and the intended meaning of the sentence.
Example: The team is playing their best. (incorrect)
The team is playing its best. (correct)
In conclusion, proper subject-verb agreement is important for both the SEO and readability of your content. By following these rules and guidelines, you can ensure that your writing is clear, coherent, and easy to understand for both readers and search engines.