Unruly Agreement Meaning: What It Is and How to Avoid It
When it comes to writing, grammar and syntax are critical to conveying your message accurately. One of the essential rules of proper grammar is subject-verb agreement. A sentence with an unruly agreement is commonly known as a subject-verb disagreement, and it can confuse readers, making a sentence unclear or even difficult to comprehend.
In English, subject-verb agreement is necessary for a sentence to make sense. The subject and verb must agree in number (singular or plural). A singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject requires a plural verb. Unfortunately, there are instances when the subject and verb do not agree, creating an unruly agreement.
An unruly agreement occurs when the subject and verb in a sentence do not match in number, leaving readers unsure of what the sentence is trying to say. For example:
Incorrect: The group of students are waiting for the bus.
Correct: The group of students is waiting for the bus.
In the incorrect sentence, the verb “are” is plural, while the subject “group” is singular. The correct sentence uses the singular verb “is” to match the singular subject “group.”
Not only can an unruly agreement confuse readers, but it can also make you appear unprofessional. A writer should aim to convey their message in the clearest way possible to avoid misunderstandings or miscommunications.
To avoid unruly agreements, it`s crucial to ensure that the subject and verb match in number. Here are a few tips to help you avoid unruly agreements:
1. Identify the subject and the verb in the sentence.
2. Determine whether they match in number (singular or plural).
3. If they don`t match, revise the sentence to ensure that the subject and verb agree in number.
To make the process of identifying and correcting subject-verb agreement mistakes easier, you can use online tools such as Grammarly or the Hemingway App. These tools can help you identify mistakes in your writing and suggest corrections, including unruly agreements.
In conclusion, unruly agreements in sentences can be a common problem for writers. Understanding the rules of subject-verb agreement and double-checking to ensure that your sentences match correctly can improve the clarity of your writing and enhance your professionalism. Remember, a clear and concise message is essential to capture and keep your readers` attention.