Standards of Agreement

Standards of Agreement: Ensuring Clarity and Consistency in Writing

Writing is a form of communication, and for it to be effective, it needs to be clear, concise, and consistent. One crucial aspect of achieving clarity and consistency in writing is to observe the standards of agreement. These rules ensure that all elements in a sentence agree with each other, meaning that the subject agrees with the verb, the pronoun agrees with the antecedent, and so forth. In this article, we`ll discuss the standards of agreement and how to apply them in your writing, particularly for SEO purposes.

Subject-Verb Agreement

The subject-verb agreement is one of the most fundamental rules of grammar. The subject of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that performs the action, while the verb is the action itself. To make sure that these two elements agree with each other, you need to consider these three things:

1. Number: Singular subjects take singular verbs, while plural subjects take plural verbs. For example, „The cat scratches the sofa“ (singular subject and verb) vs. „The cats scratch the sofa“ (plural subject and verb).

2. Person: The verb must agree with the person of the subject. For instance, „I am reading a book“ (first-person singular subject and verb) vs. „We are reading a book“ (first-person plural subject and verb).

3. Tense: The verb must agree with the tense of the subject. For example, „She is singing a song“ (present tense) vs. „She was singing a song“ (past tense).

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Another crucial aspect of the standards of agreement is the pronoun-antecedent agreement. A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun, while an antecedent is the noun that the pronoun replaces. To ensure agreement, you need to consider these three things:

1. Number: Like in subject-verb agreement, the pronoun must agree with the number of the antecedent. For example, „He loves his job “ (singular antecedent and pronoun) vs. „They love their job“ (plural antecedent and pronoun).

2. Gender: The pronoun must agree with the gender of the antecedent. For instance, „She loves her dog“ (feminine antecedent and pronoun) vs. „He loves his dog“ (masculine antecedent and pronoun).

3. Person: As with subject-verb agreement, the pronoun must agree with the person of the antecedent. For example, „I love my car. It runs smoothly“ (first-person singular antecedent, third-person singular pronoun).

Consistent Point of View

Aside from observing the standards of agreement, maintaining a consistent point of view is also essential when writing. Point of view refers to the perspective from which the writer tells the story or presents their ideas. There are three main types of point of view: first-person, second-person, and third-person.

Using a consistent point of view helps the reader understand who is speaking or narrating the story. In SEO writing, using a consistent point of view can also help create trust and build authority, as it shows that the writer knows their subject matter and has a distinct voice.

Conclusion

The standards of agreement are essential to follow when writing. They ensure clarity and consistency in your writing and help convey your ideas effectively to your readers. By observing subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, and maintaining a consistent point of view, you can make your writing more professional, engaging, and SEO-friendly. Remember to proofread your work carefully to catch any errors that may slip through and make a lasting impression on your readers.