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Rok1 Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

a total of

Hi everyone!

Could someone explain which one of these two sentences (if any) is correct and why:

A total of 200 cars were sold.
A total of 200 cars was sold.

Thank you in advance!
  

Top answer

Hi Rok, You would actually use either one. Use "was" if you think about the entire about of 200 cars as "the total" and one giant unit of cars. Use "were" if you think about the 200 cars as indivdiual units.

— BarbaraPA

  • Hi Rok, You would actually use either one.
  • Use "was" if you think about the entire about of 200 cars as "the total" and one giant unit of cars.
  • Use "were" if you think about the 200 cars as indivdiual units.
  • And a slightly late "Welcome to English Forums" to you as well!
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2 Answers
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Hi Rok,

You would actually use either one. Use "was" if you think about the entire about of 200 cars as "the total" and one giant unit of cars. Use "were" if you think about the 200 cars as indivdiual units.

And a slightly late "Welcome to English Forums" to you as well!
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Thank you very much for your answer, Grammar Geek!

I really do feel welcome here.

Thanks
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