0
Scribbler Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
Is "nothing" always singular?
Nothing but minivans was/were parked on the top floor.
Should it be "was" or "were"? If "nothing" is always singular, then it should be "was." But to me, "were" sounds better. Which is right?
Thank you.
Should it be "was" or "were"? If "nothing" is always singular, then it should be "was." But to me, "were" sounds better. Which is right?
Thank you.
Top answer
Hello, This is my take, Here, "but" means "except that" and it gives us clue to not to decide the axuliary verb acording to nothing. "
- Hello, This is my take, Here, "but" means "except that" and it gives us clue to not to decide the axuliary verb acording to nothing.
- "
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
15 Answers
0
Hello,
This is my take,
Here, "but" means "except that" and it gives us clue to not to decide the axuliary verb acording to nothing. "Minivians" are plural and you should use "were."
This is my take,
Here, "but" means "except that" and it gives us clue to not to decide the axuliary verb acording to nothing. "Minivians" are plural and you should use "were."
00
0
Doll
Here, "but" means "except that" and it gives us clue to not to decide ...
Hello Philip, do you think my sentence is correct? I think I should omit the first "to".
00
0
0
0
ScribblerI think it should be Nothing but minivans was parked on the top floor.
Nothing but minivans was/were parked on the top floor.
Should it be "was" or "were"? If "nothing" is always singular, then it should be "was." But to me, "were" sounds better. Which is right?
OR Nothing was parked on the top floor
00
Hi,
I would say that the reason why "were" is the one that is more likely to sound good (at least to American ears, I think) is something called "notional agreement", or something like that. In other words, when you say "nothing but minivans", people will think of several minivans, and not "nothing".
I would say that the reason why "were" is the one that is more likely to sound good (at least to American ears, I think) is something called "notional agreement", or something like that. In other words, when you say "nothing but minivans", people will think of several minivans, and not "nothing".
00
Everyone but John is going. (Everyone ... is going.)
Nobody but James is going. (Nobody ... is going.)
Noting but minivans is parked on the top floor. (OR Nothing is parked on the top floor but minivans.)
Nobody but James is going. (Nobody ... is going.)
Noting but minivans is parked on the top floor. (OR Nothing is parked on the top floor but minivans.)
00
Yoong Liat
Everyone but John is going. (Everyone ... is going.)
Nobody but James is going. (Nobody ... is going.)
Nothing but minivans is parked on the top floor. (OR Nothing is parked on the top floor but minivans.)
I spelled 'Nothing' as 'Noting' in the above post. I've amended it.
Hi M
0
Related Questions