Subject-Verb Agreement with Phrases Like 'Together with'

Understanding proper subject-verb agreement is crucial for effective communication, especially when dealing with complex sentences or phrases. This article will clarify when and how to use phrases like 'together with' in a sentence to ensure correct subject-verb agreement.

Common Misconceptions and Clarifications

Consider the sentence, 'The Prime Minister together with his wife greet the press cordially.' Is this sentence structure correct? Many might initially think that the verb should agree with both subjects, resulting in 'greet.' However, the correct form is 'greets.'

Why 'Greets' Instead of 'Greet'?

To understand why 'greets' is the correct form, we must consider the singular nature of the first subject in the sentence, 'Prime Minister.' The phrase 'together with' is not a conjunction that connects two subjects in the same sentence. Instead, it is used to give additional information about a single subject. Therefore, the verb should agree with the singular subject, 'Prime Minister.'

Example for Clarity

Let's use another example to illustrate this concept: 'Raju together with his wife is going to the village.' In this sentence, 'Raju' is the singular subject, and 'is going to the village' is the correct form. If we change it to, 'Raju and his wife are going to the village,' the sentence correctly uses the plural form 'are,' reflecting the plural subject 'Raju and his wife.'

Impact of 'Together with'

In sentences like 'The Prime Minister together with his wife greets the press cordially,' the phrase 'together with' is an idiomatic expression that should be treated as part of the subject description. The subject remains singular, and therefore, the verb 'greets' is correct. Similarly, if the sentence were in the past tense, the correct form would be 'The Prime Minister together with his wife greeted the press cordially.'

Additional Considerations

When writing or editing, always remember to treat phrase connectors like 'together with,' 'as well as,' or 'along with' as part of the description of the subject, not as a separator for forming a plural subject.

Conclusion

Proper subject-verb agreement is essential in English grammar. Understanding how to use phrases like 'together with' correctly ensures clearer and more effective communication. Whether in formal writing or casual speech, always verify that the verb agrees with the subject, especially when dealing with complex or idiomatic phrases.

For more insights and resources on subject-verb agreement, explore our extensive guide to English grammar, or use our online tools to check your sentences.

Keywords: subject verb agreement, prime minister, singular verb form