The simple rule in the English language on how agreement is reached between a subject and a predicate is: a singular subject takes a singular predicate and a plural subject takes a plural predicate.
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The boy is here
The boys are here
The boy likes to smoke
The boys like to smoke
When the subject boy is singular, the action (predicate) shown by is and likes are also singular; when it is boys, the plural forms of are and like are used.
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Now, let us focus on the other rules that govern the subject verb agreement in a sentence. These other rules are more of exceptions to the general rule stated above. This is because the rules that follow are not in conformity to the above rule. And these are the more complex rules.
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If you're still with me comment I'm still here Sir!
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Rule 1:
When any other conjunction apart from "and" is used to link two subjects, the verb agrees with the first subject of the sentence. Examples of these conjunctions are: together with, as well as, along with, no less than, including, not mention, in collaboration with etc. When a sentence is constructed in this way, using any of the conjunctions above, it simply means that the first subject of the sentence is given more relevance to determine the verb form.
When any other conjunction apart from "and" is used to link two subjects, the verb agrees with the first subject of the sentence. Examples of these conjunctions are: together with, as well as, along with, no less than, including, not mention, in collaboration with etc. When a sentence is constructed in this way, using any of the conjunctions above, it simply means that the first subject of the sentence is given more relevance to determine the verb form.
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Answer this
Jane with her husband……here now. (a) is (b) are (c) was (d) were
Jane with her husband……here now. (a) is (b) are (c) was (d) were
The principal as well as the teacher…… plantain chips. (a) like (b) likes (c) are liking (d) is liking.
Distinction tutorial
Answer this Jane with her husband……here now. (a) is (b) are (c) was (d) were
A is correct fire 🔥
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Distinction tutorial
The principal as well as the teacher…… plantain chips. (a) like (b) likes (c) are liking (d) is liking.
If "and" was used for joining the sentences above, the answer would have been
and
respectively.
are
and
like
respectively.
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More examples:
The chairman together with his executives is here to see you.
The chairman as well as the wife was here early.
The chairman and the wife were here early
The chairman together with his executives is here to see you.
The chairman as well as the wife was here early.
The chairman and the wife were here early
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RULE 2:
When and is used to join two singular subjects which refer to the same person or things or are titles of the same person, the singular form of the verb is used.
Examples
Bow and arrow was used to kill the cat
Bread and butter is his special food
The novelist and poet, Elechi Amadi is dead
When and is used to join two singular subjects which refer to the same person or things or are titles of the same person, the singular form of the verb is used.
Examples
Bow and arrow was used to kill the cat
Bread and butter is his special food
The novelist and poet, Elechi Amadi is dead
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The Emir and Conqueror of the enemy territories_____ next week (a) arrives (b) are to arrive (c) arrive (d) are arriving
Our Pastor and General Overseer of my church__ just arrived (a) has (b) having (c) have (d) had.