When it comes to writing, grammar is key. It helps us effectively communicate our thoughts, ideas, and messages. One of the most fundamental aspects of grammar is agreement, which refers to the proper matching of words in a sentence. Without agreement, our sentences can become confusing and difficult to understand.
Luckily, there are some shortcuts that can help us master agreement effortlessly. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
1. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement
Subject-verb agreement refers to ensuring that the subject of a sentence agrees with the verb in terms of plurality. In other words, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and vice versa. For instance, « The dog barks » is correct because « dog » is singular, and « barks » agrees with it. On the other hand, « The dogs barks » is incorrect because « dogs » is plural, but « barks » is not.
2. Use consistent pronouns
Pronouns are words that are used in place of nouns. In order to maintain proper agreement, it`s important to use consistent pronouns throughout a sentence. For example, « He went to the store, and she went to the park » is correct because both pronouns (he and she) are singular. However, « He went to the store, and they went to the park » is incorrect because « they » is plural, and does not agree with « he. »
3. Match adjectives with nouns
Adjectives are words that describe nouns, and they must agree with the nouns they describe in terms of number and gender. For example, « The blue car » is correct because « blue » agrees with « car » in terms of number (singular) and gender (neutral). However, « The blue cars » is incorrect because « blue » does not agree with « cars » in terms of number.
4. Use singular nouns for collective nouns
Collective nouns refer to groups of people or things, such as « team, » « group, » or « family. » When using collective nouns, it is important to remember that they are singular, so they should be matched with singular verbs and pronouns. For instance, « The team is playing well » is correct because « team » is a collective noun and is singular. However, « The team are playing well » is incorrect because « are » is a plural verb, and does not agree with the singular noun « team. »
In conclusion, proper agreement is crucial when it comes to effective writing. By following these simple shortcuts, you can easily improve your grammar and ensure that your sentences are clear, concise, and easy to understand.