0
Sesquipedalian101 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Was Vs Were; Parsing a Sentence

Could someone parse the following sentences, and tell me whether the verb phrase is "was" or "were"?

1. What I wanted to know was about the requirements in the examination.
2. What I wanted to know were about the requirements in the examination.

In my opinion, I think both sentences are possible although sentence 2 is more in line with what the prescriptivists would insist. Am I right?

Thank you very much for your help.
  

Top answer

Only the first sentence with was is grammatical. CB

— Cool Breeze

  • Only the first sentence with was is grammatical.
  • CB
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.

5 Answers
0
Only the first sentence with was is grammatical.

CB
0
0
Thank you very much, Cool Breeze. But may I know why it is "was" and not "were"
0
0
One other thing: may I know what is the subject of the sentence?
0
0
Selvakumar What I wanted to know was about the requirements in the examination.
"What I wanted to know" is a noun phrase and the subject of the sentence; "was" is a predicator (a linking verb) there; "about the requirements in the examination" a complement (of "to know"). There is "was" instead of "were", here, because of the fused relative pronoun "What" whic
0
0
Thank you very much. Let me closely study your answer. I'll get back to you if I have any questions. Thank you again.
0

Related Questions