Rule 7 from 11 Rules of Writing
Make the subject and verb agree with each other, not with a word that comes between them.
Examples
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Incorrect: The Thanksgiving dinner, right down to the beautiful centerpiece, were devoured by the escaped grizzly.
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Correct: The Thanksgiving dinner, right down to the beautiful centerpiece, was devoured by the escaped grizzly.
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Incorrect: The cart, as well as its contents, were gone.
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Correct: The cart, as well as its contents, was gone.
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Incorrect: The girl, along with her classmates, like the new teacher.
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Correct: The girl, along with her classmates, likes the new teacher.
References
More information about this rule is available from the following sources.
Printed Resources: (see Books on Writing section) - Strunk and White: 1-9
- Hacker: G1, especially a
