Grammar question

Cloud · 06-17-2010, 11:04 AM

okay, yes--I now think it is a collective noun, and thus can take a singular or plural verb depending on the context and sentence structure.

Stormieweather · 06-17-2010, 11:17 AM

The only evidence were the affidavits.
The only evidence was the affidavit.

Were/was depends on whether the object is singular or plural.

limey · 06-17-2010, 11:30 AM

"The only evidence was the affidavits."
The affidavits were the only evidence.
I don't see why the sentences have to work the same both way round, you can have a subject in the singular and an object in the plural, or vice versa.
The only food left was five loaves.
The five loaves were the only food left.

"there is a scintilla of evidence that limitations was tolled . . . "
In this instance was is correct if everyone understands the jargon, that "limitations" is singular, because it's shorthand for "statute of limitations."

Stormieweather · 06-17-2010, 12:11 PM

Dammit, made me go look it up...

So here's another explanation:

If I was If I were

Quote:

was or were: difficulty is sometimes experinced in the use of the subjunctive form 'were' in phrases expressing supposition. The basic rule is that 'were' is used when the suggestion is of something hypothetical, unlikely, or not actually the case. When a supposition might be possible or factual then either 'was' or 'were' may be used.

From Wordwizard.com

So I'm wrong (above).

06-17-2010, 11:04 AM	#1
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	okay, yes--I now think it is a collective noun, and thus can take a singular or plural verb depending on the context and sentence structure. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

06-17-2010, 11:17 AM	#2
Stormieweather Wearing her bitch boots Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Floriduh Posts: 1,181	The only evidence were the affidavits. The only evidence was the affidavit. Were/was depends on whether the object is singular or plural. __________________ "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." - Mahatma Gandhi

06-17-2010, 11:30 AM	#3
limey Encroaching on your decrees Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: An island within the south-west coast of Scotland Posts: 7,016	"The only evidence was the affidavits." The affidavits were the only evidence. I don't see why the sentences have to work the same both way round, you can have a subject in the singular and an object in the plural, or vice versa. The only food left was five loaves. The five loaves were the only food left. "there is a scintilla of evidence that limitations was tolled . . . " In this instance was is correct if everyone understands the jargon, that "limitations" is singular, because it's shorthand for "statute of limitations." __________________ Living it up on the edge ... of civilisation, within the southwest coast of

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