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Oakahe Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
"Were" or "was?"
Hey guys,
I noticed this clause in a wiki entry I was reading: "the same location where the fossil remains known as Lucy was also found."
The past subjunctive "was" sounded out of place to me, so I immediately searched for info regarding the appropriate usage of "were" and "was." I believe I understand the correct usage of "was" versus "were" when the subject is singular or plural, but my problem seems to be identifying the main subject (would it be called the "simple subject?") in the aforementioned sentence.
If someone could provide an explanation, I'd very much appreciate it! Also, if anyone could point out any of my grammar mistakes in this post, I'd appreciate that too! xD
Thanks.
I noticed this clause in a wiki entry I was reading: "the same location where the fossil remains known as Lucy was also found."
The past subjunctive "was" sounded out of place to me, so I immediately searched for info regarding the appropriate usage of "were" and "was." I believe I understand the correct usage of "was" versus "were" when the subject is singular or plural, but my problem seems to be identifying the main subject (would it be called the "simple subject?") in the aforementioned sentence.
If someone could provide an explanation, I'd very much appreciate it! Also, if anyone could point out any of my grammar mistakes in this post, I'd appreciate that too! xD
Thanks.
Top answer
I don't think the subjunctive is intended here. I suspect it's either an error, or the idea that "remains" may be singular or plural. ) Edit .
- I don't think the subjunctive is intended here.
- I suspect it's either an error, or the idea that "remains" may be singular or plural.
- ) Edit .
- Ah well, the dictionary says that "remains" in this sense is used only in the plural, which we already knew.
- " Of course that doesn't mean anything.
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10 Answers
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I don't think the subjunctive is intended here.
I suspect it's either an error, or the idea that "remains" may be singular or plural. (I'll need to check on that.)
Edit. Ah well, the dictionary says that "remains" in this sense is used only in the plural, which we already knew.
I get 65,000 Google hits on "His remains was found." Of course that doesn't mean anything
I suspect it's either an error, or the idea that "remains" may be singular or plural. (I'll need to check on that.)
Edit. Ah well, the dictionary says that "remains" in this sense is used only in the plural, which we already knew.
I get 65,000 Google hits on "His remains was found." Of course that doesn't mean anything
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On 20 September 2006 the journal Nature presented the findings of a dig in Dikika, Ethiopia, a few miles south (across the Awash River from Hadar, Ethiopia the same location where the fossil remains known as Lucy was also found.
The writers are using proximal or notional concord rather than grammatical concord. The "fossil remains" is being treated as a single thing, one individual
The writers are using proximal or notional concord rather than grammatical concord. The "fossil remains" is being treated as a single thing, one individual
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Sure. Here it is: "On 20 September 2006 the journal Nature presented the findings of a dig in Dikika, Ethiopia, a few miles south (across the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awash_River) from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Had
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Oh, I see. That makes sense.
In this sentence, can "fossil remains" be treated as singular or plural, meaning "was" or "were" can both be correct? I see how I was incorrect in calling them subjunctives; what are they actually classified as?
Also, is the semicolon used correctly above?
Thanks for your help guys!
In this sentence, can "fossil remains" be treated as singular or plural, meaning "was" or "were" can both be correct? I see how I was incorrect in calling them subjunctives; what are they actually classified as?
Also, is the semicolon used correctly above?
Thanks for your help guys!
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OakaheIn this sentence, can "fossil remains" be treated as singular or plural, meaning "was" or "were" can both be correct?Yes. "Proximal concord" means that the writer selected the closest (proximal = close by) noun "Lucy" as the subject. It gives the reader the idea that the "fossil remains" can be thought of as a very important individual, not just
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Oakahepast subjunctive "was"No. "was" is never any kind of subjunctive!
CJ
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I see how I was incorrect in calling them subjunctives; what are they actually classified as?
. . . is the semicolon used correctly above? It's not a good idea to use a semi-colon to link a declarative sentence and a question. Just use a period.
Clive
. . . is the semicolon used correctly above? It's not a good idea to use a semi-colon to link a declarative sentence and a question. Just use a period.
Clive
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OakaheSure. Here it is: "On 20 September 2006 the journal Nature presented the findings of a dig in Dikika, Ethiopia,Thanks, Oakahe.
The subject of the sentence is "journal." The main verb is "presented."
Rgdz, - A.
Re:
Without the full sentence, I can only assume
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Thank you for your help everyone!
I apologize for using "guys," by the way. I always forget that "guys" doesn't include everyone.
I'd really like to improve my understanding of grammar and was wondering if anyone could share some efficient methods. I hear reading is an effective way, which I will do more of, but are there more active procedures? Is there something I should be try
I apologize for using "guys," by the way. I always forget that "guys" doesn't include everyone.
I'd really like to improve my understanding of grammar and was wondering if anyone could share some efficient methods. I hear reading is an effective way, which I will do more of, but are there more active procedures? Is there something I should be try
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OakaheI apologize for using "guys," by the way. I always forget that "guys" doesn't include everyone.No problem. In US casual conversation, or in "slang," "guys" is often used to include everyone.
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