Subject-verb agreement refers to the matching of the subject and verb in a sentence, both in terms of number and tense. It is a crucial component of proper grammar and communication, particularly in written content that aims to rank high on search engine results pages (SERPs).
The number of the subject and the verb must correspond with each other. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural as well.
For example, in the sentence „The cat chases the mouse,” the subject (cat) is singular, and the verb (chases) is singular, making the sentence grammatically correct. But if we change the subject to plural, the verb must also change, as in „The cats chase the mice.”
Inconsistent subject-verb agreement can harm the clarity and professionalism of your writing. Not only can it lead to confusion for the reader, but it can also negatively impact your SERP rankings. Search engines algorithms are designed to favor high-quality content that demonstrates proper grammar and language use, so it’s important to ensure that your subject-verb agreement is correct.
To ensure proper subject-verb agreement, pay attention to the number of the subject and the verb in each sentence. Make sure they match, and avoid using language that can confuse the reader, such as indefinite pronouns. Here are some examples:
Incorrect: Each of the students has their own notebook. (The subject is singular, but the pronoun is plural)
Correct: Each of the students has his or her own notebook. or All the students have their own notebooks. (The subject is singular, so the pronoun must also be singular)
Incorrect: The group of dogs barks loudly. (The subject is plural, but the verb is singular)
Correct: The group of dogs bark loudly. (The subject is plural, so the verb must also be plural)
By paying attention to the number of the subject and the verb in your writing, you can ensure that your content is clear, professional, and optimized for search engines. This will not only improve your rankings but also enhance the readability and overall quality of your writing.