ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: "I would be surprised..."

Yoong Liat — Sat, 17 May 2008 18:20:42 GMT

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?"

Re: "I would be surprised..."

Yoong Liat — Sat, 17 May 2008 18:17:52 GMT

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

(The Right Word at the Right Time)

Re: "I would be surprised..."

Peaceblinkfriend — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:54:34 GMT

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

Thanks

PBF

Re: "I would be surprised..."

New2grammar — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:52:59 GMT

The same reason you say "Who is in the meeting?", "Who is coming?"etc

Re: "I would be surprised..."

Peaceblinkfriend — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:42:46 GMT

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

Thanks

PBF

Re: "I would be surprised..."

Yoong Liat — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:37:26 GMT

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

Re: "I would be surprised..."

Marius Hancu — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:35:15 GMT

Yes, was would be better English.

Re: "I would be surprised..."

Yoong Liat — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:32:57 GMT

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'.

Re: "I would be surprised..."

Peaceblinkfriend — Sat, 17 May 2008 11:29:09 GMT

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

Thanks

PBF

Re: "I would be surprised..."

Marius Hancu — Sat, 17 May 2008 10:35:03 GMT

whatever is: anything that/which is

Re: "I would be surprised..."

Marius Hancu — Sat, 17 May 2008 10:34:35 GMT

whatever is: anything that/which is

Re: "I would be surprised..."

Peaceblinkfriend — Sat, 17 May 2008 07:48:45 GMT

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

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

Thanks

PBF

Re: "I would be surprised..."

CalifJim — Sat, 17 May 2008 06:23:11 GMT

Peaceblinkfriend
Why do we say 'whatever is' instead of 'whatever are' ?

Can you give more context? Can you use it in a sentence, for example? And why do you think you might need 'whatever are'?

Re: "I would be surprised..."

Peaceblinkfriend — Sat, 17 May 2008 05:24:10 GMT

Thanks for all your replies.

I know this is a very basic grammar question but for some reason I never inquired about it. Why do we say 'whatever is' instead of 'whatever are' ?

Thanks again for your help ; )

PBF

Re: "I would be surprised..."

New2grammar — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:44:40 GMT

most speakers would choose one of the three almost randomly, regardless of the fine distinctions you and others have pointed out.

Thanks CJ. This is something new to me.