grammar - "X as well as Y" ; will this be followed by singular verb or plural verb?



"X as well as Y" singular or plural
When two nouns are connected using "as well as", does that become singular or plural?
For eg. Sam as well as his brother Dean has / have to come.
Which one is correct?



Answer



You use "has" since Sam is the subject of the sentence. As well as Dean is just a phrase used to add detail.



Sam (as well as his brother Dean) has to come.



You should also consider adding commas:



Sam, as well as his brother(,) Dean, has to come.



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