Confused about using was or were here...

Question

"Behind the stage were props, a costume, and an old book."

Do I use was or were in this case? I think the subject is singular, stage, so it should be was? But then all the items are plural.

Please help me, thank you so much!

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

If you think the subject is singular, what have you identified as the subject?

Anonymous · Answer

I've identified stage as the subject, so then should it be was?

BarbaraPA · Answer

Anonymous"Behind the stage were props, a costume, and an old book."

This is the same as "Props, a costume, and an old book were behind the stage."

Up the tree ran the squirrel -- Squirrel is the subject, not tree.
Into the river dove the osprey. -- Osprey is the subject, not river.

Confused about using was or were here...

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions