As a copy editor, one of the most important aspects of our job is ensuring that the content we work on is grammatically correct. One area that often causes confusion is plural agreement.
In English grammar, plural agreement refers to making sure that the subject and verb agree in number. In simpler terms, it means that when the subject of the sentence is plural, the verb should also be plural.
For example, consider the sentence, “The dog barks.” In this case, the subject (dog) is singular, so the verb (barks) is also singular. However, if we change the subject to a plural noun, such as “dogs,” we need to change the verb to its plural form as well, as in “The dogs bark.”
Plural agreement also applies to other parts of speech in the sentence, such as pronouns and adjectives. When referring to a plural noun, we use plural pronouns (e.g., “they” instead of “it”) and plural adjectives (e.g., “big dogs” instead of “big dog”).
Failure to ensure proper plural agreement can result in confusing, awkward, or incorrect sentences. For example, consider the sentence, “The team were all excited about their new uniforms.” In this case, the subject (team) is singular, so the verb should also be singular, but the sentence uses the plural verb “were.” Additionally, the pronoun “their” is plural, which is also incorrect. A properly written sentence would be, “The team was excited about its new uniforms.”
In the world of SEO, proper grammar and correct use of plural agreement can also affect search engine rankings. Search engines favor high-quality, well-written content that provides value to users. By ensuring that the content we work on is grammatically correct, we help improve its readability and user experience, which can lead to better SEO results.
In conclusion, as copy editors experienced in SEO, it is essential to pay attention to plural agreement and other grammatical rules. Proper use of plural agreement can help make writing clearer, more concise, and more professional. And as search engines continue to evolve and prioritize high-quality content, correct grammar will continue to be an important consideration for publishers and content creators.