SAT OwlQuestion bank / Form, Structure, and Sense
The string quartet's next season will feature an ambitious project. The first violinist, as well as the other three members of the ensemble, ______ to perform all sixteen of Beethoven's string quartets over a series of six concerts.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
plan
plans
are planning
have planned
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B
The subject is "The first violinist," which is singular. The phrase "as well as the other three members of the ensemble" is set off by commas and does not make the subject plural the way "and" would. A singular subject takes the singular verb "plans."
Choice C treats "as well as" like "and," but a phrase introduced by "as well as" doesn't change the number of the subject.
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