Which one is correct?

Question

Hi teachers,Context:There was a car accident near the school, do you remember? The driver was Henry and the car was Henry’s car, of course.Which one is correct? Neither of them?a) Whose car was it?b) Whose car was that?Thanks in advance.

Tenacious Learner · Accepted Answer

Hi,
Shouldn't it be?
Whose car was in the car accident?

Shawn79 · Answer

Hi TS, all three can be correct.

Let's say you pass by a single-car accident, you could say:

Whose car was that?

It would be understood that "that" refers to the car in the accident. Of course, without context the reply will be "what car?" If it's not clear what car you're referring to, then you should ask the full question:

Whose car was in the accident?

This is normal dialog:

A car crashed into a wall.
Whose car was it?

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi Shawn,
Thank you so much for your reply.

I really wasn't so sure about those ones.
In both cases, 'that' and 'it' substitude 'in the car accident', don't they?

TS

Shawn79 · Answer

Thinking SpainIn both cases, 'that' and 'it' substitude 'in the car accident', don't they?

It might appear that way but "that" and "it" are pronouns referring to "the car". See if the following variations of the question and answer help clarify the meaning of "it":

Q: Whose car was (the car) in the accident?
Q: Whose car was it/that (in the accident)?
A: It/that was Shawn's car (in the accident).
A: The car was Shawn's.

If this is still confusing I can send you some examples in Spanish that might help. I know the English concept of "it" is foreign to the more Latin languages.

My Spanish-speaking friends frequently say things like "is raining". I understand why. Obviously that's a simple example.

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi Shawn,
Thank you for you reply. Those are very good examples. It is crystal clear now.

Q: Whose car was (the car) in the accident?
Q: Whose car was it/that (in the accident)?
A: It/that was Shawn's car (in the accident). I hope not.

A: The car was Shawn's.
Then, this answer is wrong, isn't it?
Peter's car was.

Shawn79 If this is still confusing I can send you some examples in Spanish that might help. I know the English concept of "it" is foreign to the more Latin languages.

Hmm, I guess it's not necessary, but thank you very much for your suggestion. Though here is not possible to do such a thing. Why? Because the others can't follow the thread, just because it is not in English. Anytime you wish to do that for my better understanding It should be done only through my e-mail.
Because when you said 'send' you meant here or through the e-mail?

TS

Shawn79 · Answer

Gracias amigo! Of course, I know the rules and I never say more than a few words in Spanish, which I find acceptable. The point is others can understand my entire post. All critical explanations and examples are in English.

Thinking SpainBecause when you said 'send' you meant here or through the e-mail?

No, not here, don't worry, you can trust me!

In this context, I said "send" to imply by email, although it's ambiguous. "Post" is what I would say if I meant in a public reply.

Thinking SpainThose are very good examples. It is crystal clear now. ... Then, this answer is wrong, isn't it?Peter's car was.

Thank you, I'm glad it's clear!

Correct, you can't just say "Peter's car was".

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi Shawn,
Thank you to you! Silly me,

I should have understood that 'send' and 'post' are two different verbs. The thing is that I know it.

Shawn79Thank you, I'm glad it's clear!

Just tell me when it isn't.

Which one is correct?

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