Monday, May 30, 2011

Subject-Verb Agreement: RULE 3

When words are added to a singular subject by with, together with, along with, in addition to, as well as, except, besides, and not, and no less than, the number of the subject remains singular.
  • The ship, with all its passengers, was downed.
  • The latter, together with other documents, was lost.
  • He, along with his parents, is coming today.
  • A watch, in addition to rupees fifty, was given to Hari.
  • Ram, as well as Shyam was laughing.
  • No one, except a few students, was there.
  • Milk, besides vegetables, is good for health.
  • Satish, and not you, has passed.
  • He, no less than his friends, is guilty
Note: In informal English, with and together with are considered as making the subject plural. A plural verb is thus used. The omission of commas is a hint that the subjects are to be treated as more than one, like a compound subject; e.g.,
  • The servant together with his master were left standing there.

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