Sub Verb Agreement Notes: A Guide for Copy Editors
Copy editing is an integral part of the content creation process, aimed at ensuring clarity, consistency, and accuracy of the written word. In the digital era, copy editors need to be well-versed in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) principles to make sure that the content they edit meets the search engine requirements and ranks well. One of the essential aspects of SEO is sub verb agreement, which can make or break the ranking potential of a piece of content.
What is Sub Verb Agreement?
Sub verb agreement, also known as subject-verb agreement, refers to the grammatical rule that a verb must agree with its subject in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third). This means that a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb.
Examples:
– The boy runs in the park. (singular subject, singular verb)
– The boys run in the park. (plural subject, plural verb)
Why is Sub Verb Agreement Important for SEO?
Sub verb agreement is crucial for SEO because search engines use complex algorithms to analyze the relevance, readability, and overall quality of content. If a piece of content has poor sub verb agreement, it can negatively impact its readability, making it harder for users to understand and engage with. Additionally, search engines can penalize content that contains grammatical errors or inconsistencies, lowering its ranking potential.
Tips for Improving Sub Verb Agreement
As a copy editor, your role is to ensure that the content you edit adheres to the sub verb agreement rules. Here are some tips for improving sub verb agreement:
1. Identify the subject of each sentence and determine its number and person.
2. Match the verb with the subject in number and person.
3. Watch out for compound subjects (two or more subjects joined by “and”) and make sure they are treated as plural subjects.
Examples:
– John and Mary are going to the movies. (plural subject, plural verb)
– The book and the pen are on the table. (plural subject, plural verb)
4. Pay attention to indefinite pronouns (words that refer to non-specific people or things, like “anyone,” “someone,” “everyone,” etc.) and use a singular verb with them.
Examples:
– Anyone can do it. (singular subject, singular verb)
– Someone is knocking at the door. (singular subject, singular verb)
5. Be consistent with verb tenses throughout the content.
Final Thoughts
Sub verb agreement is a crucial aspect of SEO that copy editors need to take into consideration. By ensuring that the content they edit adheres to the sub verb agreement rules, copy editors can improve its readability, clarity, and ranking potential. Following the tips outlined in this article can help you achieve better sub verb agreement and create high-quality content that readers and search engines will love.