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Noun Agreement Between Subject and Predicate: A Guide for Writers

As an SEO copy editor, you understand the importance of proper grammar and word usage in creating high-quality content that ranks well in search engines. One of the most fundamental aspects of grammar is noun agreement between the subject and predicate, which can significantly impact the clarity and readability of your writing. In this article, we`ll explore this concept further and provide you with some tips on how to ensure proper noun agreement in your writing.

What is Noun Agreement?

Noun agreement refers to the correspondence between the subject and predicate in a sentence. In simple terms, it means that the verb in a sentence must agree with the subject in terms of number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third). For instance, in the sentence “The girl runs,” the subject “girl” is singular, and the verb “runs” also agrees in number and person. Similarly, in the sentence “The girls run,” the subject “girls” is plural, and the verb “run” agrees in number and person.

Why is Noun Agreement Important?

Proper noun agreement ensures that your writing is grammatically correct and easy to understand. When the subject and predicate do not agree, it can create confusion and ambiguity, making it difficult for your readers to follow your train of thought. This can result in a lower user experience and potentially harm your SEO efforts.

Tips for Ensuring Proper Noun Agreement

Here are some tips to help you ensure proper noun agreement in your writing:

1. Identify the Subject

The first step is to identify the subject in your sentence. The subject is the noun that is performing the action or being described in the sentence. For instance, in the sentence “John is eating pizza,” the subject is “John.”

2. Determine the Number and Person of the Subject

Once you have identified the subject, determine whether it is singular or plural and its person (first, second, or third). For instance, in the sentence “John is eating pizza,” the subject “John” is singular and in the third person.

3. Choose the Correct Verb

The next step is to choose the correct verb that agrees with the subject in terms of number and person. For instance, in the sentence “John is eating pizza,” the verb “is” agrees with the singular third-person subject “John.”

4. Check for Agreement with Compound Subjects

When there are compound subjects in a sentence, ensure that the verb agrees with both subjects. For instance, in the sentence “John and Mary are eating pizza,” the verb “are” agrees with the plural third-person compound subject “John and Mary.”

5. Be Mindful of Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns can be tricky in terms of subject-verb agreement. For instance, in the sentence “Everyone loves pizza,” the indefinite pronoun “everyone” is singular, but it can be confusing because it refers to a group of people. Therefore, the verb “loves” agrees with the singular third-person indefinite pronoun “everyone.”

In Conclusion

Proper noun agreement is essential for clear and effective communication in writing. As an SEO copy editor, it`s crucial to pay attention to this aspect of grammar to ensure that your content is easy to read and understand by both search engines and your target audience. By following the tips we`ve outlined in this article, you can ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and of high quality.