A verb agreement question tests whether the verb matches its subject, the person or thing the verb describes. With a blank before an -ing form, sort the choices by whether they go with it or they. Then set aside extra words between commas and ask who or what is doing the work. One person or thing takes a singular verb; more than one takes a plural verb. Match the true subject, not a noun inside the extra words.
Hints
- Hint 1
Look at the phrase between the commas. Does it give extra information, or does it name the subject that controls the verb?
- Hint 2
Read the sentence without the words between the commas. Does the remaining subject name one person or more than one?
Step-by-step
Find the true subject
Step 1Sort the verb forms
The blank comes before presenting the findings, so the verb we add must agree with whoever is presenting. How can we sort the choices? The forms are, were, and have been go with they, so they're plural forms for more than one person or thing. Sort by number first, even though the forms also differ in time.
- Step 2
Remove the extra phrase
Who is presenting? The phrase along with several research assistants gives extra information between commas. A phrase beginning with along with doesn't add to the subject the way and does, so let's cross it out. We're left with Dr. Maria Gomez as the true subject, and that name controls the verb.
- Step 3
Match the verb to one person
Does Dr. Maria Gomez name one person or more than one? Gomez is one person, so the verb must be singular. The short check is she is presenting, which gives us is; this form can also describe the planned presentation at the conference tomorrow. Choice D.