As a copy editor, it is essential to understand proper grammar rules, including verb agreement with the subject. This rule is crucial in ensuring that your writing is clear, easy to read, and grammatically correct. In this article, we will discuss verb agreement with the subject and why it is important in writing for SEO.
What is verb agreement with the subject?
Verb agreement with the subject refers to the rule that the verb in a sentence should agree with the subject in terms of number, person, and tense. In simpler terms, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural.
For example:
– The cat is sleeping. (Singular subject „cat“ with singular verb „is sleeping.“)
– The cats are sleeping. (Plural subject „cats“ with plural verb „are sleeping.“)
Why is verb agreement important in SEO writing?
Writing for SEO involves optimizing content to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). One of the factors that search engines consider when ranking content is readability. If your content contains grammar errors, including incorrect verb agreement, it may affect the readability of your content and negatively impact your SEO efforts.
Additionally, search engines use natural language processing to understand the content of a page. Proper verb agreement with the subject helps search engines identify the main idea of the sentence and understand what the content is about. This can help improve your content`s relevance and authority in search engine results.
Tips for proper verb agreement
Here are some tips to keep in mind to ensure proper verb agreement in your writing:
1. Identify the subject
Before choosing a verb, identify the subject of the sentence. Is it singular or plural? This will determine whether the verb should be singular or plural.
2. Use singular verbs with singular subjects
If the subject is singular, use a singular verb. For example:
– The dog barks at the mailman. (Singular subject „dog“ with singular verb „barks.“)
3. Use plural verbs with plural subjects
If the subject is plural, use a plural verb. For example:
– The dogs bark at the mailman. (Plural subject „dogs“ with plural verb „bark.“)
4. Watch out for compound subjects
If the subject is a compound subject (two or more subjects joined by „and“), use a plural verb. For example:
– John and Jane are going to the mall. (Compound subject „John and Jane“ with plural verb „are going.“)
5. Watch out for collective nouns
Collective nouns (words that refer to groups of people or things, like „team“ or „family“) can be singular or plural depending on the context. For example:
– The team is playing well. (Singular collective noun „team“ with singular verb „is playing.“)
– The family are all going on vacation. (Plural collective noun „family“ with plural verb „are going.“)
Conclusion
Proper verb agreement with the subject is an essential grammar rule in writing for SEO. By ensuring that your verbs agree with your subjects in terms of number, person, and tense, you can improve the readability and relevance of your content and enhance your SEO efforts. Keep these tips in mind to ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and effective.