Agreement to Contrary Means

Agreement to Contrary Means: A Common Grammar Mistake

Grammar rules can be tricky, and some of them can be easily overlooked. One of those rules is the agreement to contrary means. This grammar mistake happens when a sentence includes two subjects connected by “and,” but they have different meanings, which can cause confusion for the reader. In this article, we’ll discuss what is meant by agreement to contrary means, what makes it a significant grammar mistake, and how to avoid it.

What is Agreement to Contrary Means?

Agreement to contrary means, also known as double subject, is a grammar mistake that occurs when two subjects joined by “and” have opposite meanings, creating confusion for the reader. For example, look at the following sentence: „The weather is hot and rainy.” This sentence could be interpreted as „the weather is hot and it`s also rainy,” or it could mean „the weather is hot, but it`s not rainy.”

What Makes Agreement to Contrary Means a Significant Grammar Mistake?

Agreement to contrary means can cause confusion for readers, as it can be interpreted in different ways. It can make the sentence vague or unclear, which could lead to misunderstanding or miscommunication. Moreover, the incorrect usage of the agreement can affect the credibility of the writer, as it shows a lack of attention to detail.

How to Avoid Agreement to Contrary Means?

The best way to avoid agreement to contrary means is to ensure that the subjects connected by “and” have the same meaning. If the subjects have opposing meanings, it’s best to use a coordinating conjunction that highlights the contrast between them, such as “but” and “yet.” In addition, you can use commas to separate the two subjects, indicating that they are not connected.

Here are some examples of how to correct sentences with agreement to contrary means:

Incorrect: The movie was boring and exciting.

Correction: The movie was boring, but it was also exciting.

Incorrect: The recipe is simple and complicated.

Correction: The recipe is simple, yet complicated.

Incorrect: The lecture was informative and confusing.

Correction: The lecture was informative, but it was also confusing.

Conclusion

Agreement to contrary means is a common grammar mistake that can easily be overlooked. However, it can cause confusion for readers and affect the credibility of the writer. Therefore, it’s important to avoid this mistake by ensuring that the subjects connected by “and” have the same meaning or by using coordinating conjunctions that highlight the contrast between them. By being mindful of this rule, you can avoid confusion and communicate your message clearly.