plus

Usage Note: When mathematical equations are pronounced as English sentences, the verb is usually in the singular: Two plus two is (or equals) four. By the same token, subjects containing two noun phrases joined by plus are usually construed as singular: The construction slowdown plus the bad weather has made for a weak market. This observation has led some to argue that in these sentences, plus functions as a preposition meaning "in addition to." But if this were true, the plus phrase could be moved to the beginning of the sentence. Clearly, this is not the case—we do not say Plus the bad weather, the construction slowdown has made for a weak market. It makes more sense to view plus in these uses as a conjunction that joins two subjects into a single entity requiring a single verb by notional agreement, just as and does in the sentence Chips and beans is her favorite appetizer. · The use of plus introducing an independent clause has long been considered infelicitous, if not wrong. But a clear majority of the Usage Panel accepts it. In our 2009 survey, 67 percent accepted the example He has a lot of personal charm. Plus, he knows what he's doing. Some 63 percent accepted an example expressing negative judgment: We were a terrible team. Plus, we had bad uniforms.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

plus

[C17: from Latin: more; compare Greek pleiōn, Old Norse fleiri more, German viel much]

Usage: Plus, together with, and along with do not create compound subjects in the way that and does: the number of the verb depends on that of the subject to which plus, together with, or along with is added: this task, plus all the others, was (not were) undertaken by the government; the doctor, together with the nurses, was (not were) waiting for the patient

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

plus

prep., adj., n., pl. plus•es or plus•ses,
conj., adv. prep.

1. increased by: Ten plus two is twelve.

2. in addition to: to have wealth plus fame.

3. involving or noting addition.

4. positive: on the plus side.

5. more or greater, as in relation to a certain amount or level: A plus for effort.

6. pertaining to or characterized by positive electricity: the plus terminal.

7. of a remarkable degree: She has personality plus.

8. a plus quantity.

10. something additional.

11. a surplus or gain.

12. also; furthermore: It's safe plus it's economical.

13. in addition; besides.

[1570–80; < Latin plūs more; akin to Old Norse fleiri, Greek pleíōn more, Old English feolu, fela, German viel, Gothic filu, Old Irish il, Greek polý many]

usage: The relatively new use of plus as a conjunction, although increasing, occurs mainly in informal speech and writing. Many object to this use, and it is still rare in more formal writing.

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.