Just to add one more, I heard on NPR this morning something like this (I have forgotten the actual nouns, but the prep. phrase and verb are what I heard): "Bush along with Cheney have. . ."  That sounds completely wrong to my ears.

Edith Wollin



	-----Original Message----- 

	From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar on behalf of Veit, Richard 

	Sent: Wed 6/18/2008 8:02 AM 

	To: [log in to unmask] 

	Cc: 

	Subject: SUMMARY: a subject-verb agreement question

	

	



	I started this discussion by asking for “a little help, please,” and I got even more generous assistance than I expected, all of it helpful. I’ll summarize what I learned:



	 



	*	The short version of the authoritative consensus is: Phrases introduced by “as well as” (and similar terms) do not affect verb agreement. “Exercise, as well as medication, reduces blood pressure.” 

	*	The longer version is more nuanced and acknowledges some room to maneuver: 



		*	Usually “as well as” phrases function in a distinctly parenthetical way (set off in speech by pauses and in writing by commas, dashes, or parentheses); these do not affect the verb: “Antoine—as well as everyone else I’ve met—treats me like a pariah.” 

		*	Some other times “as well as” phrases act more like simple conjunctions and then do affect the verb: "Her jewelry as well as her clothes bespeak wealth.” 



	 



	This is one area where experienced writers may feel confidence in trusting their instincts.



	 



	Thanks to all who contributed to the discussion.



	 



	Dick



	________________________________



	Richard Veit

	Department of English

	University of North Carolina Wilmington



	 



	To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" 



	Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/