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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
tricky was and were question.
At least I think it's tricky.
I know of the who singular and plural thing, but I'm confused about something. Let's say you're referring to the Senate. The Senate is a singular body, but it is multiple people. Which is used?
Was, right?
The Senate was there. That sounds right to me.
The Senate were there. No, I don't think so.
BUT
What about something like,
The ones who figured this out was the Senate?
Is it still was? Or would it be: the ones who figured this out were the Senate? Does "the ones" have an impact? Furthermore, does the "who" have an impact. For example, if instead I say, the ones TO figure this out was the Senate, or, the ones to figure this out were the Senate.
For some reason, was sounds more appropriate to me with the who in there, but with the "to" in its place, were sound more accurate. I'm not sure. The more I keep repeating them they all sound right.
Anyway, could anyone help with this?
I know of the who singular and plural thing, but I'm confused about something. Let's say you're referring to the Senate. The Senate is a singular body, but it is multiple people. Which is used?
Was, right?
The Senate was there. That sounds right to me.
The Senate were there. No, I don't think so.
BUT
What about something like,
The ones who figured this out was the Senate?
Is it still was? Or would it be: the ones who figured this out were the Senate? Does "the ones" have an impact? Furthermore, does the "who" have an impact. For example, if instead I say, the ones TO figure this out was the Senate, or, the ones to figure this out were the Senate.
For some reason, was sounds more appropriate to me with the who in there, but with the "to" in its place, were sound more accurate. I'm not sure. The more I keep repeating them they all sound right.
Anyway, could anyone help with this?
Top answer
Anonymous Let's say you're referring to the Senate. The Senate is a singular body, but it has multiple members . Was, right?
- Anonymous Let's say you're referring to the Senate.
- The Senate is a singular body, but it has multiple members .
- Was, right?
- The Senate was there.
- That sounds right to me.
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1 Answers
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Anonymous Let's say you're referring to the Senate. The Senate is a singular body, but it has multiple members. Which is used?Was, right?
The Senate was there. That sounds right to me. 'The senators were there.' sounds better to me, unless the Senate it
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