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Snarf Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Was vs. Were Query

All he saw was people utterly desperate for an escape.

Is that wrong? Should it be "were" instead of "was", since "people" is plural? Or should it be "was" (singular) because of "he"?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Snarf Or should it be "was" (singular) because of "he"? He is subject of saw , so it can’t possibly decide which form be should take. The subject is all (that) he saw , which in my opinion can be taken as singular or plural in your sentence.

— RandomGuy

  • Snarf Or should it be "was" (singular) because of "he"?
  • He is subject of saw , so it can’t possibly decide which form be should take.
  • The subject is all (that) he saw , which in my opinion can be taken as singular or plural in your sentence.
  • So both was and were are acceptable for me.
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1 Answers
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SnarfOr should it be "was" (singular) because of "he"?
He is subject of saw, so it can’t possibly decide which form be should take. The subject is all (that) he saw, which in my opinion can be taken as singular or plural in your sentence. So both was and were are acceptable for me.
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