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"I would be surprised..."
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Peaceblinkfriend  #514803  Sat, 17 May 08 12:29 PM

Would it be better if I said "I would be surprised if whatever was inside the boxes were/was not damaged" instead?

 

Thanks

 

PBF
  
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Yoong Liat  #514806  Sat, 17 May 08 12:32 PM

Peaceblinkfriend

Would it be better if I said "I would be surprised if whatever was inside the boxes were/was not damaged" instead?

PBF

I would use 'was'.
  
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Marius Hancu  #514807  Sat, 17 May 08 12:35 PM
 Yes, was would be better English.
  
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Yoong Liat  #514809  Sat, 17 May 08 12:37 PM

Peaceblinkfriend

 I was talking about the sentence that started this thread. I guess don't fully understand what 'whatever' means. What if there are is more than one thing in each of the boxes?

I would be surprised if whatever is inside the boxes were/was not damaged.

PBF
  
Peaceblinkfriend  #514834  Sat, 17 May 08 01:42 PM

I wonder why can't I say 'What if there are more than one thing in each of the boxes?"

 

Thanks

PBF
  
New2grammar  #514840  Sat, 17 May 08 01:52 PM

The same reason you say "Who is in the meeting?", "Who is coming?"etc
  
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Peaceblinkfriend  #514867  Sat, 17 May 08 02:54 PM

What might that reason be? I know this is a very basic grammar question.

 

Thanks

 

PBF
  
Yoong Liat  #514962  Sat, 17 May 08 07:17 PM

more than one is plural in meaning but singular in form, and takes a singular verb.

(The Right Word at the Right Time)
  
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Yoong Liat  #514964  Sat, 17 May 08 07:20 PM

Peaceblinkfriend

I wonder why can't I say 'What if there are more than one thing in each of the boxes?"

PBF

I wonder why I can't say "What if there is more than one thing in each of the boxes?"
  
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