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Usenet Posted 23 years ago
Usage

"Was" or "were" - I hear conflicting opinions

A sentence is discussing survey respondents. It reads:

A quarter was/were not sure.
Which is correct in this case?
  

Top answer

The inimitable "MASTER TROLL" (Email Removed) stated one day [nq:1]A sentence is discussing survey respondents. It reads: A quarter was/were not sure. [/nq] You'll have to check the APA Style Manual for an authoritative answer on this.

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4 Answers
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The inimitable "MASTER TROLL" (Email Removed) stated one day
[nq:1]A sentence is discussing survey respondents. It reads: A quarter was/were not sure. Which is correct in this case?[/nq]
You'll have to check the APA Style Manual for an authoritative answer on this. My feeling is that all references to fractions of the responding population should be consistent, and I would start out thinki
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[nq:1]A sentence is discussing survey respondents. It reads: A quarter was/were not sure. Which is correct in this case?[/nq]
"Were", of course. The uncertainty was not found in an abstract fraction, but in all the people it was measuring.
Matti
"Nurse, I'm afraid Joy is unconfined again."
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[nq:2]A sentence is discussing survey respondents. It reads: A quarter was/were not sure. Which is correct in this case?[/nq]
[nq:1]"Were", of course.[/nq]
Are you sure you wouldn't like an APA adjudication on that?

Or raspberry sauce?
;-)
Adrian
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[nq:2]"Were", of course.[/nq]
[nq:1]Are you sure you wouldn't like an APA adjudication on that? Or raspberry sauce? ;-)[/nq]
In the circumstances nothing less than a full-blown raspberry tart will meet the case.
Matti
"Nurse I'm afraid that Joy's unconfined again."