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Subject-verb agreement with interrupting words

When writing in the present tense, we must pay attention to subject-verb agreement. That is, we must make sure that a singular subject is partnered with a singular verb and a plural subject with a plural verb. Matching subjects and verbs sounds easy, but sometimes it can be confusing.

Words that come between the subject and the verb—called interrupting words—can distract us. These word groups can make a singular subject look plural, or a plural subject look singular, and can lead to subject-verb agreement problems.

Singular subjects that look plural

A group of words that modifies a subject can make a singular subject look plural:

  • The pack of wolves howls at the moon every night.
  • [The true subject is pack, not wolves. Of wolves is a phrase modifying the subject pack.]

  • The country having the most lakes is Canada.
  • [The true subject is country, not lakes. Having the most lakes is a phrase modifying the subject country.]

  • The dog that has all the cuts was in a fight.
  • [The true subject is dog, not cuts. That has all the cuts is a clause modifying the subject dog.]

Don't be fooled by phrases such as along with, in addition to and together with. They can also make subjects look plural. However, the words that follow these phrases are not part of the true subject.

Let's look at some examples:

  • The little girl, along with all her friends, plays the violin.
  • [The true subject is girl, not friends. Along with all her friends is an interrupting phrase.]

  • Skating, in addition to hockey and curling, is offered at the local arena.
  • [The true subject is skating, not hockey and curling. In addition to hockey and curling is an interrupting phrase.]

  • The manager, together with his employees, works late on Thursdays.
  • [The true subject is manager, not employees. Together with his employees is an interrupting phrase.]

Plural subjects that look singular

A group of words that modifies a subject can also make a plural subject look singular.

Let's look at some examples:

  • The members of the committee meet monthly in Toronto.
  • [The true subject is members, not committee. Of the committee is a phrase modifying the subject members.]

  • The new Canadians, one of whom is from Japan, are learning French.
  • [The true subject is Canadians, not one. One of whom is from Japan is a clause modifying the subject Canadians.]

  • Students registered in the program are eligible for a scholarship.
  • [The true subject is students, not program. Registered in the program is a phrase modifying the subject students.]

Remember to match the verb with the true subject in your sentence, and you will always have subject-verb agreement!

For more on basic subject-verb agreement, read Basic subject-verb agreement.

Date Modified: 2012-03-29

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