Good agreement is essential in any relationship, whether it be personal or professional. When two parties establish expectations and follow through on them, mutual trust and respect are fostered. In business, this can mean agreeing to terms of a contract, such as deadlines and payment amounts. In grammar and writing, good agreement refers to the proper matching of verb tense and subject.
When it comes to writing, good agreement means ensuring that your subject and verb agree in tense. It sounds simple enough, but it can be a common mistake among even seasoned writers. For example, if you’re writing in the present tense, your subject and verb should also be in the present tense. If you’re writing in the past tense, the same applies. Inconsistencies in tense can make your writing confusing and difficult to read.
In addition to verb tense, good agreement also means matching the number of your subject with your verb. This can be tricky when working with plural subjects or subject-verb pairs that don’t follow the standard rules. For example, “The team is” versus “The team are.” In American English, it’s more common to use the former, while in British English, the latter is often preferred.
Why is good agreement important, you may ask? For one, it demonstrates a clear understanding of the language and proper grammar. Sloppy writing can be distracting and unprofessional, while good agreement can convey a sense of authority and expertise. It also makes your writing more coherent and easier to read, which can improve your SEO ranking.
When writing for the web, SEO (search engine optimization) is a key consideration. Good agreement can play a role in SEO by making your content more readable and increasing user engagement. Search engines prioritize user experience, so if your content is well-written and easy to read, it may rank higher in search results.
In summary, good agreement is an important aspect of both writing and business. It demonstrates a command of grammar and language, improves readability, and may even boost your SEO ranking. By ensuring proper subject-verb agreement, you can create clear, concise writing that communicates your message effectively.