Agreement of the Number: Understanding its Importance in Writing and SEO
Agreement of the number is a fundamental aspect of writing that often goes overlooked, yet it is crucial for effective communication. As a professional, I have come across numerous articles and blog posts that suffered from inconsistency or lack of agreement of the number between subjects and verbs, pronouns and antecedents, and so on. In this article, I will explain what agreement of the number is, why it matters in writing, and how it affects SEO.
Agreement of the number is simply the rule that the verb and the subject must match in number, that is, singular or plural. For example, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular as well, as in « The dog barks. » If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural too, as in « The dogs bark. » This agreement also applies to other parts of speech that need to match in number, such as pronouns and antecedents, as in « He likes his job » (singular) or « They like their jobs » (plural).
Why is agreement of the number important in writing? First and foremost, it ensures clarity and accuracy. When the writer uses consistent and correct agreement of the number, the reader can easily understand who or what is being referred to and what action is being taken. In contrast, if the writer uses inconsistent or incorrect agreement of the number, the reader may be confused, misled, or lose interest. For example, if a sentence says « The cat chases the mouse, but they never catches it, » the reader may wonder who is not catching whom.
Moreover, agreement of the number also shows the writer`s competence and professionalism. It indicates that the writer has a good command of grammar, syntax, and style, and pays attention to details and conventions. On the other hand, if the writer neglects agreement of the number, it may suggest carelessness, ignorance, or lack of respect for the language and the audience.
Last but not least, agreement of the number can affect SEO. Search engines like Google use complex algorithms to evaluate the quality and relevance of web content, based on various factors such as keywords, links, and user engagement. One of the factors that can impact SEO is readability, which includes grammar and syntax. If a website has many grammatical errors or inconsistencies, it may lower its ranking and visibility, as users may prefer sites that offer more clear and coherent content. Therefore, writers who want to optimize their content for SEO should pay attention to agreement of the number, among other aspects of writing.
In conclusion, agreement of the number is a basic but important principle of writing that cannot be ignored or underestimated. It ensures clarity, accuracy, professionalism, and SEO-friendliness, and enhances the quality and effectiveness of any written communication. As a professional, I recommend that writers always check their agreement of the number and revise it if necessary, to avoid any confusion, error, or penalty. The devil is in the details, and so is the angel.