Question

Next month, Jack and Chrissy, along with Janet, (is, are) moving to the larger apartment upstairs.

Short answer

The correct sentence is: Next month, Jack and Chrissy, along with Janet, are moving to the larger apartment upstairs.

Step-by-step solution

Identifying the Subject

First, identify the subject(s) in the sentence. In this sentence the subjects are 'Jack', 'Chrissy', and 'Janet'. This is a compound subject because it contains more than one person.

Determine the Verb Form

Next, you need to determine the correct form of the verb. In English, when the subject is singular, the verb is also singular, and when the subject is plural, the verb is also plural. In our case, because our subject is plural (Jack, Chrissy, and Janet), the correct verb form must also be plural.

Select the Correct Verb

Finally, choose the verb that matches with the plurality of the subject. The options are 'is' (singular) and 'are' (plural). As our subject is plural, the correct verb to use is 'are'.

Key concepts

Compound Subjects

Compound subjects occur when a sentence has more than one subject. In our example, the phrase "Jack and Chrissy, along with Janet" forms a compound subject. This happens because it includes multiple people. Here, these individuals work together as one entity to perform an action.

How do we recognize compound subjects in sentences? Look for conjunctions like 'and', 'or', and 'nor'. These words help to combine multiple nouns or pronouns into one subject. For instance, "Jack and Chrissy" is joined by 'and', while "along with Janet" gives additional information about the group.

When you identify compound subjects, it's crucial to focus on the entire group that the subjects form. This will help you determine the correct verb form to use. Let's move forward by exploring what this means for verb agreements.

Plural Verbs

In English, verbs change form based on whether their subject is singular or plural. With our compound subject, "Jack and Chrissy, along with Janet", the important thing is understanding that it acts as a plural subject.

Plural verbs do not end with an "s"—unlike singular verbs. When a verb follows a plural subject like ours, it needs to match that plurality. So, instead of saying "Jack and Chrissy is", we use "Jack and Chrissy are", because the action involves more than one person.

Here are some quick tips to identify and use plural verbs correctly:

• Remove extra words that do not affect the subject count. In our sentence, phrases like "along with Janet" can be temporarily set aside when deciding the verb.
• Ensure the verb matches the primary parts of the subject. If the core elements of the subject are plural, as with "Jack and Chrissy", the verb should reflect that—that is, it should be "are".

Understanding the correct use of plural verbs ensures your sentences are grammatically correct and clear.

English Grammar Rules

English grammar rules provide guidelines for writing and speaking clearly. These rules are especially important when using compound subjects and deciding between plural and singular verbs.

Some crucial grammar rules to help with subject-verb agreement include:

• Identify if your subject is singular or plural. Words like "and" typically mean your subject is plural, whereas "or" often implies a choice, affecting whether you use a singular or plural verb.
• When deciding between "is" and "are", determine subject count. Two or more distinct subjects will generally require "are".
• Remember, intervening phrases do not determine verb form. They provide extra detail but do not affect whether the subject is viewed as singular or plural.

Mastering these fundamental grammar rules allows for clearer, more effective communication in both writing and speech.