As a copy editor, one of the most important tasks is to ensure that all written content is free of errors. This includes checking for correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. However, one area that often gets overlooked is ensuring that agreement is correct in the text. This can have a significant impact on SEO and the overall quality of the content.
Agreement refers to the correct use of subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement. This means that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number and tense, and the pronoun and antecedent must agree in number and gender. For example, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the pronoun refers to a specific noun, it must agree in number and gender.
Using a spell check tool is a great way to catch spelling mistakes, but it does not always catch errors in agreement. This is because spell check tools are designed to detect misspelled words, not grammatical errors. This is why it is essential to thoroughly proofread the content to ensure that agreement is correct.
When agreement is incorrect, it can affect the readability and clarity of the content. It can also negatively impact SEO because search engines look for well-written, grammatically correct content when ranking pages. When content is poorly written and filled with errors, it can hurt the website`s ranking, and visitors may quickly leave the site due to a lack of credibility.
To ensure proper agreement, copy editors should carefully review sentences for subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement. This means checking to ensure that the subject and verb are in the same tense and number, and the pronoun and antecedent agree in number and gender.
In addition to reviewing the content, copy editors should also review the style guide for the publication or website. The style guide will provide guidelines on proper agreement, including when to use singular or plural form, past tense versus present tense, and proper use of pronouns. Following the style guide is essential for ensuring consistency throughout the content.
In conclusion, proper agreement is a critical aspect of writing and editing content for SEO. Copy editors should pay close attention to subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement and follow the style guide to ensure consistency and accuracy. By doing so, the content will be well-written, free of errors, and have a higher chance of ranking well in search engine results.
