which senyence is right using "singular" or "plural" form of the verb.
Each of the oranges 'were' wrapped in silver paper.
or
Each of the oranges 'was' wrapped in silver paper.
which form of verb is right according to english grammar.why?
explain,i'm preparing for my exam.send answer urgently.thanks
2007-06-02 09:40:54 · 15 answers · asked by sameen_sohail2000 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
The traditional rule holds that the subject of a sentence beginning with each is grammatically singular, and the verb and following pronouns must be singular accordingly: Each of the apartments has (not have) its (not their) own private entrance (not entrances).
When each follows a plural subject, however, the verb and subsequent pronouns remain in the plural: The apartments each have their own private entrances (not has its own private entrance). But when each follows the verb with we as its subject, the rule has an exception. One may say either We boys have each our own room or We boys have each his own room, though the latter form may strike readers as stilted.
The expression each and every is likewise followed by a singular verb and, at least in formal style, by a singular pronoun: Each and every driver knows (not know) what his or her (not their) job is to be.
2007-06-03 02:07:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Each of the oranges WAS wrapped in silver paper. Although it doesn't look like it, EACH is the subject and is singular. ORANGES looks like the subject, but is really the object of the preposition OF.
Good luck on you exam and you can contact me with other questions.
2007-06-02 09:46:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Why torture yourself like this buddy?
Just say "each orange was wrapped in silver paper" and be done with it!
You're just giving yourself an unnecessary headache by complicating the English grammar which is very simple indeed!
Good luck with your exam buddy!
2007-06-02 11:05:10 · answer #3 · answered by Lolita 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the correct sentence is---Each of the oranges was wrapped in silver paper.
Explanation:
We used "was" bec your noun pertains to singular of "Each oranges"
2007-06-02 09:48:33 · answer #4 · answered by AILEEN F 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sameen , Note the correct ones- 1. Allah has extraordinary powers. 2. Muslims celebrate the Eid festival with great enthusiasm. Allah haafiz.
2016-04-01 12:03:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is ridiculous. How can ANY English-speaking person (Jib, Adam, and most especially Lynlee, who purports to be an English major) even begin to think that 'each were' is correct English, much less show his ignorance by posting such garbage where others may see it?
2007-06-02 15:05:39 · answer #6 · answered by Rosa L 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Was.
"of the oranges" is a prepositional phrase, so the predicate's (verb's) tense has nothing to do with it, only with the subject (which is "each"). Since "each" is singular, so should the predicate be "was" instead of "were."
I'll take my 10 points now. :) (I was first, after all! lol)
2007-06-02 09:43:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
The oranges were wrapped in silver paper individually.
2007-06-02 09:52:52 · answer #8 · answered by kathy t 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
WAS
The subject of the sentence is "each" which is singular, therefore "each was...."
"Of the oranges" is just a descriptive clause for "each"
2007-06-02 09:45:19 · answer #9 · answered by Mimii 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I agree with jib that it is were
Each of the oranges were wrapped in silver paper.---plural
One orange was wrapped in silver paper.---singular
Myself and jib are correct i am 100% sure. The rest of these people don't know whats going on.
2007-06-02 09:55:31 · answer #10 · answered by adam r 3 · 0⤊ 5⤋