gone were/was

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New2grammar  #529693  Thu, 19 Jun 08 06:34 PM
Gone were/was her dark auburn hair.

Which is correct?

Thanks

  
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CalifJim  #529694  Thu, 19 Jun 08 06:36 PM
 There's not a plural word in the whole sentence!  was!

Was this supposed to be a trick question?  Big Smile 

CJ 

  
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New2grammar  #529705  Thu, 19 Jun 08 06:54 PM
I thought it was because I saw 'were' used. Really can't believe what's on the Internet!
  
CalifJim  #529716  Thu, 19 Jun 08 07:05 PM
 I wonder if that was from a non-English speaker.  In many languages "hair" is treated as a plural, but not in English.

CJ 

  
optilang  #529719  Thu, 19 Jun 08 07:09 PM
 Also in Yorkshire

My/Me hair were longer in them days. 

  
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CalifJim  #529723  Thu, 19 Jun 08 07:20 PM
optilang
Also in Yorkshire

My/Me hair were longer in them days. 

Hmmm.  Very interesting.  I did not know that.

CJ 

  
Yoong Liat  #529751  Thu, 19 Jun 08 08:51 PM

New2grammar
Gone were/was her dark auburn hair.

Which is correct?

Neither. Gone is her dark auburn hair.
  
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optilang  #529752  Thu, 19 Jun 08 08:56 PM
Before she died, she woke up one morning, looked in the mirror and could not believe her eyes. Gone was her dark auburn hair. 
  
Kooyeen  #529797  Thu, 19 Jun 08 11:15 PM

New2grammar
can't believe what's on the Internet!

Do you want some more examples? I can give you a lot! You won't believe it! Big Smile Yeah, the net is a mess.

As Jim said, in some languages hair is plural (mine too, and that's why I tend to make that mistake and use the plural). But on the other hand, optilang showed you how a certain "strange" expression can be normal in some dialects. Interesting, eh?
  
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