As a copy editor, one of the key aspects of language that you need to be well-versed in is shift agreement. Shift agreement refers to the consistency in using the same tense, person, and voice throughout a piece of writing. This is important not just from a grammatical perspective, but also from an SEO perspective.
Search engines use complex algorithms to determine the relevance and quality of content. One of the factors that they consider is the consistency in language usage. If a piece of content lacks consistency in shift agreement, it can be viewed as low-quality content and, therefore, be penalized by search engines.
Here are some tips to help you maintain shift agreement in your writing:
1. Choose your tense and stick to it: Decide on the tense you want to use in your writing and stick to it. If you’re writing in the past tense, make sure that all verbs are in the past tense. This includes verbs that may belong to the present tense, such as “is” and “has”.
2. Use the same person throughout: If you’re writing in the first person, use “I” throughout your writing and don`t switch to “we” or “you”. Similarly, if you’re writing in the third person, stick to “he”, “she”, “it”, or “they.”
3. Maintain the same voice: If you’re writing in the active voice, make sure that all sentences are in the active voice. If you’re writing in the passive voice, maintain the same voice throughout.
4. Pay attention to detail: Even the smallest errors in shift agreement can have a significant impact on the overall quality of your writing. Be diligent when reviewing your work and make sure that you’ve used the correct tense, person, and voice throughout.
In conclusion, maintaining consistency in shift agreement is essential if you want to produce high-quality content that is SEO-friendly. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can ensure that your writing is consistent and effective, helping to improve its search engine ranking and readability.