Phrases that sit between subject and verb

Learning outcome

Keep the verb matched to the subject when a phrase stands between them.

Concepts and reasons

A phrase such as together with, along with, as well as, or of the files does not turn a singular subject into a plural one. The extra nouns are not extra subjects.

"The manager, along with the clerks, is waiting" uses is. The subject is manager. Along with the clerks adds company; it does not join a second subject the way and does.

Worked examples

Example 1. The teacher, as well as the students, has left. The subject is teacher. As well as the students is not and. The verb is has.

Example 2. The keys of the cupboard are missing. Here the subject itself is plural: keys. Of the cupboard does not change that. The verb is are.

Common traps

Along with looks similar to and, but it does not make a compound subject. And would: "The manager and the clerks are waiting."

Practice questions

1. Choose is or are: The captain, together with the selectors, ___ in the room.
2. Choose is or are: The pages of the register ___ torn.

Answers and explanations

1. Is. The subject is captain. Together with does not add a second subject.
2. Are. The subject is pages, which is plural.

Analogy

The manager, along with the clerks, is waiting.

Manager is singular. Along with the clerks does not replace manager as the subject. The verb is is.

Quick reference

• Together with, along with and as well as do not form a plural subject.
• And does form one when it joins two subjects.
• If the real subject is already plural, the verb stays plural.
• Bracket the interrupting phrase, then read subject plus verb.