Choose from the options lettered A - E the one that most appropriately completes each sentence Paul together…

Analyze the question: This tests subject-verb agreement, and it also tests tense. The sentence is "Paul together with his younger brother __ discharged and acquitted by the magistrate last week."

Explain the concept: When a subject is followed by a phrase such as together with, as well as, along with, or in addition to, that phrase is parenthetical. It does not make the subject plural. The verb agrees only with the main subject, which comes before the phrase.

Solution:

1. The main subject is Paul, which is singular.
2. "Together with his younger brother" is only an add-on phrase, so it does not change the verb.
3. The time expression "last week" shows the simple past tense, so the verb must be past.
4. Now check the options: • A. are is plural and present, so it is wrong. • B. have been is plural and present perfect. It cannot be used with "last week", so it is wrong. • C. is is singular but present tense, so it is wrong. • D. were is past but plural. It would only fit if the subject were "Paul and his younger brother", so it is wrong. • E. was is singular and past, so it is correct.

Correct sentence: Paul, together with his younger brother, was discharged and acquitted by the magistrate last week.

Tip: Remember the phrases that do not add to the subject: together with, along with, as well as, in addition to, accompanied by. Ignore them when choosing the verb, and always check time words such as "last week" to get the tense right.