Correcting subject-verb agreement when two names are joined by and

Title: When And Joins Two Names: A Friendly Look at Subject-Verb Agreement in PACT Writing Tasks

Let me ask you something: have you ever read a sentence and paused because the verb didn’t quite fit the subject? In many PACT writing tasks, tiny rules like subject-verb agreement do the heavy lifting. They don’t shout, but they matter a lot for clear, confident writing. A classic trap shows up in a phrase like: is Ms. Ellis and Ms. Stephenson. The moment you spot that is, you’re on your way to cleaner, crisper sentences.

Here’s the thing about sentences like this: when you see two people joined by and, the subject is usually plural. That means the verb should match the plural subject. In plain terms: two people deserve a plural verb. So, is Ms. Ellis and Ms. Stephenson should become are Ms. Ellis and Ms. Stephenson. Simple, right? But the slip happens more often than you’d expect, especially when the writer’s brain lingers on one person at a time.

Subject-verb agreement: the heart of clear writing

Let’s unpack the rule in a way that sticks. If you have more than one subject connected by and, treat them as a group of subjects. That typically means a plural verb. Think of it like this: two people, one idea of action. If two names are doing something together, you’re not talking about a single action, you’re talking about a shared subject that’s plural.

• Correct form for two people: use are

• Correct form for a single person or a single idea: use is

• The trap: the brain might momentarily fixate on the first name and slip into is, even though there are two subjects

Let’s compare a few quick examples to anchor the concept:

• The librarian and the assistant are organizing the shelves. (Two people, plural subject. plural verb.)

• The writer and the editor are drafting the memo. (Again, two people, plural verb.)

• The team and its coach is preparing for the game. (Here you can see a nuance: the team is treated as a unit in some contexts, so is can work. But if you’re counting the individuals, are is safer.)

That last line touches a subtle but important point: context matters. When two parts function as a single unit, English sometimes favors a singular verb. Most of the time with two people, though, you’ll want are.

Why this error pops up in real writing

People trip over this rule for a few practical reasons:

• Default thinking: we’re so used to saying “is” with one subject that we slip when the subject gets bigger. It’s a habit breaker.

• Reading vs. writing bias: in casual speech, you might hear “is” used with multiple people a surprising amount, especially in quick, spoken language. In formal writing—like a PACT-related task—you pause and correct.

• Intervening phrases can distract: “The teacher and the principal, along with the students, is arriving.” The extra words can tempt you to overfit a single verb to the whole phrase, rather than sticking to the core subject.

A practical fix: a quick editing check

When you’re in the editing phase of a PACT writing task, here’s a simple ritual that keeps you honest:

1. Find the main subject.

2. Ask: is this subject singular or plural?

3. If there are two names connected by and, expect a plural verb.

4. If the sentence still feels awkward, rephrase to keep the subject clear—sometimes moving a phrase around does the trick.

An example walk-through

Let’s take your original test phrase: is Ms. Ellis and Ms. Stephenson. Start by identifying the core subject: two people, Ms. Ellis and Ms. Stephenson. Since there are two people, the verb should be plural. So the corrected form becomes are Ms. Ellis and Ms. Stephenson. It’s straightforward once you flag the two subjects.

Now, to keep today’s guidance practical, consider a few more patterns you’ll see in PACT writing tasks and how to handle them:

• If you have a compound subject joined by and, but one of the items is a collective noun treated as a single unit, you may still choose is. Example: The team and their coach is arriving early. Here, the team coaching is a single unit in some contexts. If you’re not sure, rephrase to emphasize the individuals or use are to avoid ambiguity: The team and their coach are arriving early.

• If the two items are clearly separate individuals, always go with are. The student and the tutor are discussing the assignment.

• If the sentence uses a phrase like along with, as well as, or in addition to, remember that these phrases don’t change the core subject. The subject remains the duo, so the verb should still agree with the two names, not the phrase in the middle. For example: Ms. Ellis and Ms. Stephenson, along with the other teachers, are leading the workshop.

A quick quiz you can chew over

Try these on for size. Pick the right verb and see if you can explain why:

• The author and the editor (is/are) reviewing the manuscript.

• The dog and the cat (is/are) sleeping on the couch.

• The manager and the assistant (is/are) preparing the report.

• The lamp and the shade (is/are) on the desk.

If you chose are for the first three and is for the last, you’re on the right track. The first three involve two people performing a shared action, so a plural verb fits. The last example—lamp and shade—often acts as a single decorative unit in everyday speech, which is a case where a singular verb can sneak in. It’s the rare scenario where context nudges the choice toward is, but in most straightforward, two-subject cases, are is the safer bet.

Wider implications: why this matters beyond a single sentence

Grammar isn’t a dry checklist; it’s a tool for clarity. In PACT writing tasks, precise language matters because it shapes how readers understand your ideas. A mismatch between subject and verb can momentarily stall comprehension, making your message feel uncertain or sloppy. That hesitation can creep into paragraphs, then into entire responses, and suddenly the reader wonders about other parts that might be off-mocus.

Think of it like smoothing a path through a garden. If the path wobbles because a single stone is out of line, the whole stroll feels off. Fixing the stone—changing is to are or reworking the sentence—lets the reader walk confidently from point A to point B, without tripping over tiny glitches.

Tips that travel well beyond grammar

• Read your sentences aloud. If the sentence sounds off when spoken, it’s worth a closer look. A natural rhythm usually signals correct subject-verb agreement.

• Use the “they” trick. If you can substitute they for the subject phrase and the sentence still sounds right, you probably need a plural verb. For example: Ms. Ellis and Ms. Stephenson are/they are? The natural flow is “they are,” so are fits.

• Keep sentences concise. Short, clear lines reduce the chance of tangled subjects. If a sentence starts to feel heavy, try splitting it into two simpler sentences.

A few more concrete examples from everyday writing

• The reporter and the photographer are filing the story. This one stays plural because two people act together.

• The bag and the wallet is missing from the desk. Fix it to The bag and the wallet are missing from the desk, unless you’re treating them as a single missing item, in which case you’d rephrase to something like The missing bag with the wallet concerns everyone. Clarity wins.

• The menu and the drinks are on the table. Here, plural is the right call.

Bringing it back to the heart of good writing

This isn’t just about checking a box on a grammar sheet. It’s about building trust with the reader. When your sentences reflect careful subject-verb agreement, your ideas land with more confidence. Your readers won’t have to pause to figure out what you mean, and that makes your writing more compelling—whether you’re explaining a concept, making a point, or describing a scene.

If you ever stumble on a sentence like is Ms. Ellis and Ms. Stephenson, pause and recheck. The fix isn’t a big rewrite; it’s a small, precise adjustment that keeps your voice intact and your meaning crystal clear. You’re not just getting the grammar right; you’re sharpening your ability to communicate—one sentence at a time.

A closing thought: language as a living tool

Language evolves, and so do our writing habits. The moment you notice a problem and take steps to correct it is the moment you grow as a writer. In the realm of PACT writing tasks, that growth translates to clarity, credibility, and authority. And who doesn’t want to be the writer who speaks with calm certainty, even when a stray subject-verb hiccup tries to sneak in?

If you’re curious, keep exploring how small rules ripple through your prose. You’ll find your writing becomes not only more accurate but also more engaging. After all, good grammar isn’t about rigid rules alone; it’s about making meaning easy to grasp and enjoyment easy to feel as you read.

Key takeaway

• When you see two subjects joined by and, expect a plural verb. In the phrase is Ms. Ellis and Ms. Stephenson, the right form is are Ms. Ellis and Ms. Stephenson. Simple, clear, and a solid foundation for effective writing.