As a copy editor, it`s essential to ensure that all content is not only grammatically correct but also adheres to SEO best practices. This means paying attention to subject-verb agreement, tenses, and fragments in your writing.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement refers to the agreement between the subject and the verb in a sentence. In other words, the verb must agree with the number of the subject. For example, if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
Incorrect: The book on the table was make-believe.
Correct: The book on the table was make-believe.
Incorrect: The books on the table was make-believe.
Correct: The books on the table were make-believe.
To ensure proper subject-verb agreement, always double-check your subject and verb match in number and agree in tense.
Tenses
Tenses refer to the time frame in which a sentence is written. When writing, it`s essential to maintain consistency in tenses. Switching between tenses can be jarring for the reader and can make your writing seem disjointed.
Incorrect: I walk to the store and bought some milk.
Correct: I walked to the store and bought some milk.
Incorrect: I`m going to the store yesterday.
Correct: I went to the store yesterday.
Fragments
A fragment is an incomplete sentence, lacking a subject or a verb. Fragments can make your writing difficult to understand and can impact your SEO efforts negatively.
Incorrect: Sat on the couch all day.
Correct: I sat on the couch all day.
Incorrect: Enjoying a cold beer with friends.
Correct: I was enjoying a cold beer with friends.
To ensure there are no fragments in your writing, double-check that each sentence has a subject, verb, and expresses a complete thought.
In conclusion, paying attention to subject-verb agreement, tenses, and fragments in your writing can enhance the readability of your content and improve your SEO efforts. Always take the time to check and double-check your writing to ensure it`s grammatically correct and adheres to best practices.
