Agreement What Is: Understanding the Basics
Agreement, in grammar, pertains to the correspondence between two or more words in a sentence. It could be the subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, adjective-noun agreement, or noun-noun agreement. It is a crucial element in constructing a coherent and grammatically sound sentence.
In this article, we will discuss the fundamentals of agreement, its importance in writing, and some tips on how to achieve correct agreement.
Subject-Verb Agreement
One of the most common types of agreement is the subject-verb agreement. It refers to the correspondence between the subject of a sentence and the verb that follows it. For instance, the sentence “She walks to the park” is an example of a sentence that follows the subject-verb agreement. The singular subject “she” corresponds to the singular verb “walks.” Alternatively, “They walk to the park” is an example of a sentence that follows plural subject-verb agreement.
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Another type of agreement is the pronoun-antecedent agreement. It refers to the correspondence between the pronoun (which replaces the noun) and the antecedent (the noun that the pronoun refers to). For instance, in the sentence “John loves his family,” “his” is the pronoun that replaces “John,” which is the antecedent.
Adjective-Noun Agreement
The agreement between an adjective and a noun refers to the correct use of adjectives that modify a noun. For instance, the phrase “red apples” follows the adjective-noun agreement since the adjective “red” modifies the noun “apples.”
Noun-Noun Agreement
Lastly, noun-noun agreement pertains to the correspondence between two nouns in a sentence. For instance, in the phrase “computer screen,” “computer” modifies the noun “screen.”
Importance of Agreement in Writing
Correct agreement is essential in writing because it helps convey a clear and concise message to the readers. It makes the sentence more easily understood and improves the flow of the article. Incorrect agreement can result in confusion, misconceptions, and misunderstandings between the writer and the reader.
Tips on Achieving Correct Agreement
Here are some tips on how to ensure correct agreement in your writing:
1. Identify the subject, verb, pronoun, adjective, and noun in the sentence.
2. Determine whether they are singular or plural.
3. Ensure that the subject agrees with the verb, the pronoun agrees with the antecedent, the adjective agrees with the noun, and the noun agrees with the noun.
4. Be mindful of exceptions to the usual rules of agreement.
5. Read your sentences aloud to check for correct agreement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, agreement is an essential aspect of grammar that helps convey a clear and concise message in writing. Understanding the fundamentals of subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, adjective-noun agreement, and noun-noun agreement is crucial in executing correct agreement. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically sound.
