Singular or plural?
Hello Teachers,
I only had regrets.
Let's say I want change the above to: What I had was regrets.
In this case, is it 'was' or 'were' before regrets?
Thanks, teachers.
Top answer
anonymous In this case, is it 'was' or 'were' before regrets? Either one. You can construe "regrets" as a single thing if you want, and the reader's inclination to see "what" as singular before he sees where you're going helps that a lot.
- anonymous In this case, is it 'was' or 'were' before regrets?
- Either one.
- You can construe "regrets" as a single thing if you want, and the reader's inclination to see "what" as singular before he sees where you're going helps that a lot.
- That inversion does not go well with the plural, either, for the same reason, and is best avoided in this context.
- I would say that the singular is the natural choice.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
anonymousIn this case, is it 'was' or 'were' before regrets?
Either one. You can construe "regrets" as a single thing if you want, and the reader's inclination to see "what" as singular before he sees where you're going helps that a lot. That inversion does not go well with the plural, either, for the same reason, and is best avoided in this context. I woul
0anonymousI only had regrets.
To preserve the meaning with 'only' better:
All I had was regrets.
(was)
CJ
0
Related Questions