As a copy editor, one of the most important skills to have is a strong understanding of grammar rules and how they impact search engine optimization (SEO). One important area to focus on is agreement of number, or the rule that dictates nouns and verbs should agree in number.
What is Agreement of Number?
Agreement of number is a grammatical rule that states that the noun and verb in a sentence should agree in terms of singular or plural. For example, “the cat jumps” is an example of agreement of number because the singular noun “cat” matches the singular verb “jumps”. Similarly, “the cats jump” is an example of agreement of number because the plural noun “cats” matches the plural verb “jump”.
Why is Agreement of Number Important for SEO?
Agreement of number is important for SEO because search engines like Google use complex algorithms to analyze the content of websites and determine their relevance to specific search queries. If a website has poor grammar or improper agreement of number, it can negatively impact its search ranking and make it less likely to appear in search results.
Tips for Achieving Agreement of Number
To achieve proper agreement of number, it is important to follow these tips:
1. Identify the subject: Determine whether the subject of the sentence is singular or plural. This will help you determine whether the verb should be singular or plural as well.
2. Match the verb: Ensure that the verb in the sentence matches the subject in terms of singular or plural. If the subject is plural, then use a plural verb. If the subject is singular, then use a singular verb.
3. Pay attention to irregular noun-verb pairs: There are some irregular noun-verb pairs in English that don’t follow the standard rule of agreement of number. For example, “sheep” is a singular noun but takes a plural verb (“The sheep are grazing in the field.”). It’s important to learn these pairs so that you can use them correctly in your writing.
4. Use proofreading tools: Use proofreading tools like Grammarly or Hemingway to check your writing for errors in agreement of number and other grammatical rules.
Conclusion
Agreement of number is an essential grammatical rule that copy editors must understand and utilize. Proper usage of this rule can help improve a website’s search ranking and make it more visible in search engine results. By following the tips outlined above, you can ensure that your writing is grammatically correct and optimized for SEO.
