Question 47·Medium·Form, Structure, and Sense
Dr. Méndez, along with several colleagues, _____ to present their findings at the international conference next month.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For subject–verb agreement questions, first cross out interrupting phrases set off by commas or starting with words like "along with," "as well as," or "together with" to isolate the true subject. Decide whether that subject is singular or plural, then quickly eliminate any answer choices whose verb form does not match in number. Finally, use the time clues in the sentence (like "next month" or "last year") to pick the tense and aspect (simple vs. progressive vs. perfect) that best fits the timeline.
Hints
Strip the sentence down
Mentally remove the phrase between the commas ("along with several colleagues"). Read what is left and focus on the subject and verb.
Singular or plural subject?
Ask yourself: Is the main subject one person or more than one? Remember that phrases starting with "along with" usually add extra information, not a new subject.
Check subject–verb agreement
Once you know whether the subject is singular or plural, eliminate any choices whose verb form does not match that number.
Consider time and aspect
The presentation is happening next month. Which verb form best shows that the planning is happening around now in preparation for a future event?
Step-by-step Explanation
Find the sentence’s true subject
Ignore the extra phrase between commas: "along with several colleagues." The core of the sentence is:
"Dr. Méndez _____ to present their findings at the international conference next month."
So the main subject is Dr. Méndez, which is singular.
Decide if the verb must be singular or plural
Because Dr. Méndez is singular, the verb must also be singular.
Phrases like "along with," "as well as," "together with" do not turn the subject into a plural; they just add extra information. So we need the singular form of the verb that agrees with "Dr. Méndez."
Match agreement and time with the best choice
Now test each option with the singular subject "Dr. Méndez":
- "Dr. Méndez are planning" → uses the plural verb are, so it does not agree with the singular subject.
- "Dr. Méndez plan" → for a singular subject, we would need plans, not plan, so this also does not agree.
- "Dr. Méndez have planned" → should be has planned for a singular subject, and this tense suggests the planning is already fully completed, which is awkward with an event "next month."
- "Dr. Méndez is planning" → uses the singular verb is, which matches the singular subject, and the progressive form is planning naturally expresses a present plan for a future event.
Therefore, the correct answer is "is planning" (Choice B).