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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Was vs were
Can someone please explain to me why was should be used in this sentence in and not were?
Every man, woman, and child was given a life preserver.
It is my understanding that was is used with a singular subject and were is used with a plural subject.
Every man, woman, and child was given a life preserver.
It is my understanding that was is used with a singular subject and were is used with a plural subject.
Top answer
Hi Every man (was given), (every) woman (was given) and (every) child (was given) was given a life preserver. In other words - everyone (each individual) was given a life preserver. All the passengers were given a life preserver.
- Hi Every man (was given), (every) woman (was given) and (every) child (was given) was given a life preserver.
- In other words - everyone (each individual) was given a life preserver.
- All the passengers were given a life preserver.
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2 Answers
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Hi
Every man (was given), (every) woman (was given) and (every) child (was given) was given a life preserver.
In other words - everyone (each individual) was given a life preserver.
All the passengers were given a life preserver.
Every man (was given), (every) woman (was given) and (every) child (was given) was given a life preserver.
In other words - everyone (each individual) was given a life preserver.
All the passengers were given a life preserver.
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Noun phrases with everytake a singular verb, strange as that may seem to you. 
CJ
CJ
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