As a copy editor, it is important to ensure that all sentences in a piece of writing are grammatically correct and adhere to the rules of agreement. Agreement refers to the grammatical principle that all elements within a sentence must match in number and person to ensure clarity and coherence in communication. In this article, we will explore the different types of agreement and provide examples to help writers and copy editors effectively apply this principle.

Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is perhaps the most common agreement principle and it refers to the need for the subject of a sentence to agree with the verb in terms of number. For example, if the subject is singular, then the verb must also be singular. Similarly, if the subject is plural, then the verb must also be plural. Here are some examples:

– The cat chases the mouse. (singular subject and verb)

– The cats chase the mice. (plural subject and verb)

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Pronoun-antecedent agreement is another important agreement principle that involves ensuring that the pronoun used in a sentence agrees in number and gender with the antecedent (the noun that the pronoun refers to). For example:

– John likes his coffee black. (masculine pronoun and antecedent)

– Mary likes her tea with milk. (feminine pronoun and antecedent)

Adjective-Noun Agreement

Adjective-noun agreement involves ensuring that the adjective used in a sentence agrees in number and gender with the noun it modifies. For example:

– The big dog barks loudly. (singular noun and adjective)

– The big dogs bark loudly. (plural noun and adjective)

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns are nouns that refer to a group of individuals. It is important to note that collective nouns can take on either a singular or plural verb depending on the context in which they are used. For example:

– The team is playing well. (singular verb)

– The team are all skilled players. (plural verb)

In conclusion, as a professional, it is important to ensure that all sentences in a piece of writing adhere to the rules of agreement to enhance clarity and coherence in communication. By paying attention to subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, adjective-noun agreement, and collective nouns, writers and copy editors can produce high-quality content that effectively communicates their intended message.