Agreement Mistakes in English: How to Avoid Them for Better Writing
In the English language, agreement refers to matching the subject and verb in a sentence. This is a fundamental rule that every writer should know and follow. Unfortunately, agreement mistakes happen all the time and can affect the clarity and accuracy of your writing. In this article, we’ll discuss some common agreement mistakes in English and provide tips on how to avoid them.
1. Subject-verb disagreement
One of the most common agreement mistakes is when the subject and verb don’t agree in number. For example, “The cat on the bed is meowing loudly” is correct because the singular subject “cat” matches the singular verb “is meowing.” On the other hand, “The cats on the bed are meowing loudly” is also correct because the plural subject “cats” matches the plural verb “are meowing.” However, “The cat on the bed are meowing loudly” is incorrect because the singular subject “cat” doesn’t match the plural verb “are meowing.”
To avoid subject-verb disagreement, always check that your subject and verb agree in number. If you’re unsure, identify the subject first and then match the appropriate verb form.
2. Pronoun-antecedent disagreement
Another common agreement mistake is when the pronoun and antecedent don’t agree in number or gender. A pronoun is a word that refers to a noun or another pronoun, while an antecedent is the noun (or pronoun) that the pronoun refers to. For example, “Sheila said she would come to the party” is correct because the singular pronoun “she” matches the singular antecedent “Sheila.” However, “Sheila said they would come to the party” is incorrect because the plural pronoun “they” doesn’t match the singular antecedent “Sheila.”
To avoid pronoun-antecedent disagreement, always make sure that the pronoun matches the antecedent in number and gender. If you’re unsure, identify the antecedent first and then choose the appropriate pronoun form.
3. Collective noun agreement
A collective noun is a noun that represents a group of individuals. Examples of collective nouns include team, family, group, committee, etc. When using a collective noun, it’s important to remember that it can be either singular or plural depending on the context. For example, “The team is playing well” is correct because the emphasis is on the team as a group. However, “The team are arguing with each other” is correct because the emphasis is on the individual members of the team.
To avoid collective noun agreement mistakes, consider the context and decide if the emphasis is on the group or the individuals within the group. If it’s on the group, use a singular verb form. If it’s on the individuals, use a plural verb form.
In conclusion, agreement mistakes in English can easily happen and can negatively affect the clarity and accuracy of your writing. By understanding the rules of subject-verb disagreement, pronoun-antecedent disagreement, and collective nouns, you can avoid these mistakes and improve your writing. Always take the time to double-check your agreement and make any necessary corrections to ensure that your writing is clear and effective.