Intervening words or phrases

A word or clause coming between the subject and verb doesn't change the subject-verb agreement. Such word or clause is called an "intervening word" or "intervening phrase". Examples of intervening words or phrases include: 

• like, with, plus, including, accompanied by, along with, as well as, in addition to, one of, together with

The subject still determines whether the verb is singular or plural in order to adhere to the subject-verb agreement:

• The farmhouse, including the tractor and a pickup, was damaged by the storm
• Mary, accompanied by her brother, goes to the movies at the weekend
• John along with his cousin often helps out on his uncle’s farm
• His father, as well as his uncle, is retiring at the end of this year
• The speaker, in addition to the guests, has arrived
• The police inspector, together with an assistant, is now at the crime scene