Intervening Word Groups Writing Lab Intervening Word Groups

Basics Verbs agree with their subjects in number (singular, plural). Often the word closest to the verb is not the subject, especially if there is an intervening word group like a prepositional phrase between the subject and the verb. A verb should agree with its subject, not the object of a prepositional phrase or the headword in another kind of phrase that appears between the subject and the verb.

Examples The Secretary of State, as well as the other Cabinet members, was with the president. The subject of the sentence is Secretary of State, not members; therefore, the singular verb form was is correct. The people who listen to that kind of music are awesome. The subject of the sentence is people, not music; therefore, the plural verb are is correct.

That’s all, folks! This lesson is part of the UWF Writing Lab Grammar Mini-Lesson Series Lessons adapted from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon To find out more, visit the Writing Lab’s website where you can take a self-scoring quiz corresponding to this lesson