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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

56 million tonnes of fish ... taken

How should I write?

1. ...56 million tonnes of fish WAS taken...

2. ...56 million tonnes of fish WERE taken...

Thank you
  

Top answer

Grammatically, either form is possible, since the writer can be thinking of one large quantity ( was ) or of a number of tons ( were ). It is really your choice.

— Mister Micawber

  • Grammatically, either form is possible, since the writer can be thinking of one large quantity ( was ) or of a number of tons ( were ).
  • It is really your choice.
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4 Answers
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Grammatically, either form is possible, since the writer can be thinking of one large quantity (was) or of a number of tons (were). It is really your choice.
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Even if there are "tonnes" not "a tonne" I can choose "was"?
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Yes, as MM explained if the speaker/writer considers these tonnes as one mass rather than units. If they want the measurement to be important use were, if you want the large amount to be important then use was.
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