As a copy editor, one of the essential tasks is to ensure that the text is grammatically correct. However, sometimes, writers may use alternative words or phrases that mean the same thing but do not have grammatical agreement. These non-agreement synonyms can create confusion and make the text less effective.
Non-agreement synonyms are words or phrases that do not agree with the grammatical structure of the sentence. For instance, the singular and plural forms of words need to match with the corresponding verb tense. If the subject is singular, the verb must also be in the singular form. Similarly, if the subject is plural, the verb must be in the plural form.
Using non-agreement synonyms can be tempting because they can add variety and interest to the text. However, they can also create confusion and make the text less effective. For example, consider the following sentence:
“The team, with their coach leading, are aiming to win the championship.”
In this sentence, the subject “team” is singular, while the verb “are” is plural. The sentence would be grammatically correct if it were written as:
“The team, with their coach leading, is aiming to win the championship.”
In this revised sentence, the verb “is” matches the singular subject “team.”
Another example of a non-agreement synonym is the use of “less” and “fewer.” Both words indicate a smaller quantity, but “less” is used for mass nouns, while “fewer” is used for countable nouns. For example:
“I have less coffee than him.”
This sentence is incorrect because “coffee” is a countable noun. The correct sentence would be:
“I have fewer cups of coffee than him.”
As a professional, it is crucial to keep in mind that non-agreement synonyms can negatively impact the text`s search engine optimization. Search engines favor clear and concise language, and errors such as non-agreement synonyms can decrease the text`s ranking.
In conclusion, using non-agreement synonyms may seem like a way to add variety and interest to the text. However, it is essential to ensure that the text is grammatically correct and that the subject and verb tenses match. As a professional, it is crucial to recognize and correct non-agreement synonyms to ensure that the text is clear, effective, and search engine optimized.