Phrases Between Subject & Verb Exercises (Medium)

Certain phrases in English look like they join two subjects but actually do not. Along with, as well as, together with, and including are not the same as "and." When these phrases appear after the subject, the verb still agrees with the original subject alone: "The manager, along with her team, is attending the meeting" — the subject is "the manager" (singular), so the verb is "is," not "are."

This is a crucial difference. Compare: "The manager and her team are attending" (two subjects joined by "and" = plural) with "The manager, together with her team, is attending" (one subject + extra phrase = singular). Notice the commas around the phrase — they signal that it is additional information, not a second subject. Learners preparing for B1 and B2 examinations should learn this rule because exam writers frequently use "along with," "as well as," and "together with" to test whether students know these phrases do not create plural subjects.