was or were

Question

Which would be correct to say....?Your hospitality and generosity was much appreciated or Your hospitality and generosity were much appreciated

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I'd say 'were'.

Best wishes, Clive

Marius Hancu · Answer

Were.

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When two singular subjects are joined by and, the verb is normally plural.

Alice and Bob are going to be late.

Swan, Practical English Usage, singular and plural, coordinated subjects, p. 509
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When two subjects are joined by or, the verb is normally usually singular if the 2nd subject is singular, and plural if it is plural. Compare:

The room's too crowded -- either two chairs or a table has got to be moved out.
The room's too crowded -- either a table or two chairs have got to be moved out.

Swan, Practical English Usage, singular and plural, coordinated subjects, p. 509
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Yoong Liat · Answer

	BBC NEWS \| Talk about Newsnight \| A wave of cynicism hits the blog
	The generosity and hospitality of the Lebanese was second to none - on Hogmanay, I went into a restaurant and was invited by a family there to share their meal as they had plenty food to share. www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/newsnig.../a_wave_of_cynicism_hits_the_blog.html

Marius Hancu · Answer

Well, yes, if you see them as a compound of qualities, you may use the  singular, but that would not be my choice, as they mean different  things. Otherwise, I'd use just a word.

was or were

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