2007-09-29 15:59:46 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
If "the rest" is plural, as in "the rest of the puppies", then it is "were".
If "the rest" is singular, as in "the rest of the pie", then it is "was".
You need to be careful on what you are speaking (writing) when considering singular/plural.
If it was "the rest of the pieces of pie", now being plural (pieces), it is "were".
Similarly, if it was "the rest of the litter of puppies, now being singular (litter), it is "was"
2007-09-29 16:16:39 · answer #1 · answered by jjudijo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rest implies more than one. Therefore, you use were - plural past tense.
There were two racers. The first crossed the line and the rest was expected soon?
There were many racers. The first crossed the line, and the rest were expected soon.
If it were singular, it would be last, or something similar - The first crossed the line, and the last was expected. (or the other was expected, etc)
2007-09-29 23:16:29 · answer #2 · answered by lisa w 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Part of my order arrived last week and the rest [of the order] was expected by yesterday.
Some of the campers went swimming but the rest [of the campers] were expected to clean up the campsite.
After hiking for three hours the rest [here it's a noun] was expected to occur soon.
I think you have to specify the context. It depends on what the "rest" refers to.
2007-09-29 23:06:13 · answer #3 · answered by treebird 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
On the assumption that 'rest' refers to the balance remaining out of a certain number: if the balance is one, then I would use 'was' and if the balance is more than one, then 'were' would be more appropriate.
If 'rest' refers to a break or a pause between activities, then 'was' would be used.
2007-10-03 12:15:39 · answer #4 · answered by greenhorn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To answer your question, I need to know what "the rest" refers to.
If the story is about a much of people, then "the rest" is plural, and "were" would be correct.
If this is some long complicated story, and "the rest" refers to the rest of the story, then "was" would be correct.
2007-09-29 23:05:19 · answer #5 · answered by hottotrot1_usa 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
"the rest" is naturally assumed to be a plural group such as "The rest (of the deer) were expected to return to the forest."
So you would use "were" with "the rest".
2007-09-29 23:14:46 · answer #6 · answered by notabot000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my answer ' the rest were expected
2007-09-29 23:07:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It depends whether 'the rest' is singular or plural.
2007-09-30 03:05:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
were
2007-09-29 23:04:55 · answer #9 · answered by ruth4526 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋