주어-동사 일치: 주어와 동사 사이 전치사구

The box of chocolates IS — 주어는 box이지 chocolates가 아니다

함정: 전치사구에 속지 마세요

주어와 동사 사이에 전치사구(of ~, with ~, in ~)가 끼어 있으면, 전치사구 안의 명사가 아닌 진짜 주어에 동사를 일치시켜야 합니다. • The box of chocolates IS on the table. ✅ (주어 = box → 단수 → is) ❌ The box of chocolates ARE on the table. 💡 of chocolates는 box를 수식하는 전치사구일 뿐. 주어는 box!

자주 나오는 패턴

• The price of the tickets HAS increased. (가격 = 단수) ❌ The price of the tickets HAVE increased. • The results of the test WERE surprising. (결과들 = 복수) • A group of students IS waiting. (그룹 = 단수) ❌ A group of students ARE waiting. • One of my friends LIVES in London. (하나 = 단수) ❌ One of my friends LIVE in London. 💡 'one of + 복수명사'에서 주어는 one(단수)입니다!

함께/포함 표현도 주의

together with, along with, as well as, including 등은 주어에 포함되지 않습니다. • The teacher, along with the students, IS here. (교사 = 단수) ❌ ... ARE here. • She, as well as her friends, WAS invited. (그녀 = 단수) 💡 이 표현들은 and와 달리 주어를 복수로 만들지 않습니다!

and vs or의 차이

• and → 복수: Tom and Jerry ARE friends. • or → 가까운 주어에 일치: Either Tom or his friends ARE coming. (friends에 일치) Either his friends or Tom IS coming. (Tom에 일치) 💡 or/nor 구문에서는 동사에 가까운 주어에 일치시킵니다. Neither the teacher nor the students WERE ready. Neither the students nor the teacher WAS ready.

Examples

항목 목록이 매우 길어요. — The list of items is very long.

창문 중 하나가 깨졌어요. — One of the windows was broken.

제품 품질이 향상되었어요. — The quality of the products has improved.

선생님이 학생들과 함께 참석했어요. — The teacher, along with her students, was present.

톰과 제리는 단짝이에요. — Tom and Jerry are best friends.