I think the subject of the sentence is trash, so was should be followed by trash. But I found this sentence and I am confused.
2006-12-08 02:56:38 · 6 answers · asked by SmartL 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The subject is tons. "Of trash" is a prepositional phrase, so the word trash has nothing to do with determining the correct form of the verb. "Tons were collected" is correct.
2006-12-08 03:05:01 · answer #1 · answered by Jeannie 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes because tons refers to a plural amount of trash. If it was singular, it would be The trash was collected, but this has been quantified.
2006-12-08 03:01:39 · answer #2 · answered by Wendie H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Were" is correct, since the noun phrase "tons of trash" is plural.
Trash is a noun of quantity, which confuses the issue. If it were only one ton, "trash" wouldn't change, but the verb would:
"A ton of trash was collected."
2006-12-08 09:09:39 · answer #3 · answered by Andrew 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Were is right ''Tons of trash were collected".
2006-12-08 03:24:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Tons of trash", that's the subject.. . wich makes it plural I think.
2006-12-08 03:06:35 · answer #5 · answered by Mike pregunton 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
trash is the subject , tons is the adjective so was is the correct verb.
2006-12-08 03:05:10 · answer #6 · answered by fancyname 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋