Was or were?

[Csika]

Dear Forum Users,

Could anyone please tell me whether was/were is the correct verb in the following:

In the previous section a pragmatic analysis of three instances of irony was/were provided.? (involving 3 different ironies and 3 different pragmatic analyses)

Thank you.


Csika

[Mr.Ayed]

Dear Forum Users,

Could anyone please tell me whether was/were is the correct verb in the following:

In the previous section a pragmatic analysis of three instances of irony was/were provided.? (involving 3 different ironies and 3 different pragmatic analyses)

Thank you.


Csika

See my correction in red..
Good luck

[TheParser]

A NON-TEACHER'S OPINION


(1) According to the rules, what was provided? Answer: an analysis. (NOT: three instances.)

(2) Nevertheless, many native speakers would use "were" because they let the

sound of "three instances" make the decision as to the correct verb.

(3) Be careful (here are two terrible examples of mine):

(a) He gave me a book of rules that was published in 1931. (I am referring to the book)

(b) He gave me a book of rules that were considered OK in 1931. (I am referring to the rules.)

[Mr.Ayed]

A NON-TEACHER'S OPINION


(1) According to the rules, what was provided? Answer: an analysis. (NOT: three instances.)

(2) Nevertheless, many native speakers would use "were" because they let the

sound of "three instances" make the decision as to the correct verb.

(3) Be careful (here are two terrible examples of mine):

(a) He gave me a book of rules that was published in 1931. (I am referring to the book)

(b) He gave me a book of rules that were considered OK in 1931. (I am referring to the rules.)

My hat is being raise for you, TheParser.

[5jj]

My hat is being raise for you, ...

The idiom is 'I take my hat off to you'.

[Mr.Ayed]

The idiom is 'I take my hat off to you'.

Thank you for furnishing me with this idiom.