Correct Option: B. Ade as well as Jide comes to the meeting every week.
Explanation of the Correct Answer:
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Subject-Verb Agreement: In English grammar, the subject and verb must agree in number. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb should also be in its singular form, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be in its plural form.
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Understanding the Subject: The phrase "Ade as well as Jide" is a compound subject. However, the key point here is that "as well as" does not change the number of the subject. The main subject is "Ade," which is singular. Therefore, the verb must also be singular to match the singular subject.
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Choosing the Correct Verb Form: The correct verb form to use with a singular subject is "comes." Thus, the sentence "Ade as well as Jide comes to the meeting every week" is grammatically correct because "comes" agrees with the singular subject "Ade."
Why the Other Options are Incorrect:
- Option A: Ade as well as Jide come to the meeting every week.
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Error: The verb "come" is in the plural form, which does not agree with the singular subject "Ade." This option is incorrect because it fails to maintain subject-verb agreement.
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Option C: Ade as well as Jide coming to the meeting every week.
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Error: This option is incomplete as it lacks a main verb. The phrase "coming" does not function as a complete verb in this context. It suggests an ongoing action but does not provide a clear statement about the subject's attendance at the meeting.
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Option D: Ade as well as Jide have come to the meeting every week.
- Error: The verb "have come" is in the plural form, which does not agree with the singular subject "Ade." Similar to Option A, this option incorrectly assumes that the compound subject is plural due to the presence of "as well as."
Summary of Key Points:
- Subject-Verb Agreement: Always ensure that the verb matches the subject in number (singular/plural).
- Compound Subjects: When using "as well as," the first part of the subject determines the verb form.
- Correct Verb Form: Use "comes" for the singular subject "Ade."
- Avoid Incomplete Sentences: Ensure that all sentences have a main verb to convey a complete thought.
By understanding these principles, you can effectively determine the correct verb form to use with compound subjects in English grammar.