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Liveinjapan Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

There was/were

When I opened the fridge there was only a bottle of milk, some eggs, and butter.
When I opened the fridge there were only some eggs, a bottle of milk, and butter.


My grammar book says the singular is used when the first noun is singular or uncountable.

Can't I ever use were in the first sentence?

Thanks
LiJ
  

Top answer

There is no inflexible rule on this, LiJ. You can (and I would) use were in your first sentence if thinking far enough ahead to recognize that several items were to going to be mentioned. .

  • There is no inflexible rule on this, LiJ.
  • You can (and I would) use were in your first sentence if thinking far enough ahead to recognize that several items were to going to be mentioned.
  • .
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2 Answers
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There is no inflexible rule on this, LiJ. You can (and I would) use were in your first sentence if thinking far enough ahead to recognize that several items were to going to be mentioned.
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Got it! Thanks, Mister. I'll use were in most cases.

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