How to Solve Agreement Issues in Your Writing

Agreement issues can be a common problem in writing, which can make your content appear unprofessional and confusing for the reader. However, there are several tricks and tips that you can use to solve agreement issues in your writing.

1. Subject-Verb Agreement

One of the most common agreement issues is subject-verb agreement. You need to ensure that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in terms of number. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural. For example, ‘The dog barks’ is correct, but ‘The dog bark’ is not.

2. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Another common agreement issue is pronoun-antecedent agreement. When using pronouns, you need to ensure that they agree in gender and number with their antecedents (the noun they refer to). For instance, ‘John went to the beach with his friends’ is correct, but ‘John went to the beach with their friends’ is not.

3. Use Consistent Tense

Another crucial factor for avoiding agreement problems is using consistent tense throughout your writing. You need to choose the right tense for your piece, whether it is present, past, or future tense, and stick to it throughout. Shifting between tenses can be confusing for the reader and can make your writing seem disjointed.

4. Be Mindful of Lists

When creating lists, you need to ensure that the items in the list agree in terms of grammatical structure. If the first item in the list is a noun, the following items should also be nouns. If the first item is a verb, the following items should also be verbs.

5. Check Your Work

Lastly, always proofread your work to catch any errors or agreement issues that might have slipped through the cracks. You can use grammar checkers and online editing tools to help you identify grammar and spelling errors.

In conclusion, agreement issues can be a common problem in writing, but you can easily avoid them by following these tips. By using proper subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement, maintaining consistent tense, being mindful of lists, and checking your work, you can ensure that your writing is clear, effective, and professional.