Digital SATReading and Writing: Standard English ConventionsHard
A chef's meticulous preparation of ingredients, along with his innovative use of spices, ______ his signature dishes a distinctive and memorable flavor.
- Alends
- Bare lending
- Chave lent
- Dlend
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. lends
The subject of the sentence is 'preparation,' which is singular. The phrase 'along with his innovative use of spices' is an intervening phrase and does not change the number of the subject. Therefore, the singular verb 'lends' is correct.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This plural present progressive verb does not agree with the singular subject 'preparation'.
- C. This plural perfect tense verb does not agree with the singular subject 'preparation'.
- D. This plural verb does not agree with the singular subject 'preparation'.
Phrases Not Affecting Subject Number
Phrases like 'along with,' 'as well as,' 'in addition to,' 'accompanied by,' or 'together with' do not make a singular subject plural. The verb still agrees with the initial singular subject.
- These phrases introduce additional information, not compound subjects.
- The verb agrees only with the noun that comes *before* these phrases.
- Mentally remove these phrases to simplify subject-verb identification.
Memory trick: 'Along with' is a friend, not a partner; the first subject rules the charter!