0
Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Verbs

Hey,

In the following, is it the (non)countable nouns that are used that determine whether was or were is used.

I assume these sentences are correct!

Outside, were foxes, rabbits, and a dog.

Outside the house were foxes, rabbits, and a sod

Outside the house was a dog, foxes, and a rabbit.

Outside the house WAS/WERE, Bob and Mary.

Thanks
  

Top answer

There are no non-count nouns there-- only singular and plural ones, with the nearest noun generally governing the verb number: Outside, were foxes , rabbits, and a dog . -- fine Outside the house were foxes , rabbits, and a frog -- fine Outside the house was a dog, foxes, and a rabbit . -- fine.

— Mister Micawber

  • There are no non-count nouns there-- only singular and plural ones, with the nearest noun generally governing the verb number: Outside, were foxes , rabbits, and a dog .
  • -- fine Outside the house were foxes , rabbits, and a frog -- fine Outside the house was a dog, foxes, and a rabbit .
  • -- fine.
  • If someone is considering the lot, s/he might say 'were' Outside the house WERE/was Bob and Mary.
  • -- As above: the speaker is probably thinking of the pair of them, but may be thinking of them one at a time-- this happens particularly in spoken English, which is linear in construction.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0
There are no non-count nouns there-- only singular and plural ones, with the nearest noun generally governing the verb number:

Outside, were foxes, rabbits, and a dog. -- fine

Outside the house were foxes, rabbits, and a frog -- fine

Outside the house was a dog, foxes, and a rabbit. -- fine. If someone is considering the lot, s/
0

Related Questions