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📏english grammar and usage review

Together with

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

The phrase 'together with' is used to indicate a connection or addition between two subjects, often influencing subject-verb agreement. When it appears in a sentence, the main subject determines the form of the verb, while the phrase itself acts as an additional element that can clarify or enhance the meaning of the subject.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. 'Together with' does not change the number of the main subject; it serves as an additive phrase that can make the subject seem more complex but does not alter its singularity or plurality.
  2. When 'together with' is used, if the main subject is singular, the verb should also be singular; if the main subject is plural, the verb should be plural.
  3. In sentences like 'The cat, together with her kittens, is playing,' the singular subject 'cat' dictates that 'is' is the correct form of the verb.
  4. It's essential to identify the main subject in a sentence to determine how 'together with' impacts subject-verb agreement effectively.
  5. Similar phrases such as 'along with' and 'as well as' follow the same grammatical rule concerning subject-verb agreement.

Review Questions

  • How does 'together with' influence subject-verb agreement in sentences?
    • 'Together with' influences subject-verb agreement by acting as an additional element that does not affect the number of the main subject. This means that when determining verb form, one should focus solely on whether the main subject is singular or plural. For example, in 'The dog, together with her puppies, runs fast,' the singular main subject 'dog' dictates that the verb 'runs' is also singular.
  • What are some other phrases similar to 'together with,' and how do they affect verb agreement?
    • 'Along with' and 'as well as' are similar phrases that also do not change the number of the main subject when determining verb agreement. For instance, in 'The teacher, along with her students, is preparing for the exam,' the focus remains on 'teacher,' which is singular, thus requiring 'is' as the correct verb form. Understanding these phrases helps reinforce consistent application of subject-verb agreement rules.
  • Evaluate how misunderstanding 'together with' can lead to common errors in writing related to subject-verb agreement.
    • Misunderstanding 'together with' can lead to errors where writers mistakenly treat it as part of the main subject rather than an additional phrase. This confusion can result in incorrect verb forms, such as saying 'The manager, together with her team, are celebrating,' which should correctly be 'is celebrating.' Recognizing that 'together with' does not affect whether the main subject is singular or plural is crucial for achieving accurate grammatical structure in writing.