16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardAgreement ignoring an as well as phrase

Standard English Conventions practice question

The director, as well as the two producers, ____ present at the screening.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. wasCorrect
  2. B. were
  3. C. are
  4. D. have been

Answer: A. was

"as well as the two producers" is a parenthetical phrase; the subject is "the director", singular.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. were
Plural, treating "as well as" like "and".
C. are
Plural and present.
D. have been
Plural.

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