there were a quantity of...

[Lenka]

Why is verb "to be" used in plural in the sentence below?

There were a quantity of overgrown lettuces.

The word quantity is a singular noun, isn't it?

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Lenka

Why is verb "to be" used in plural in the sentence below?

There were a quantity of overgrown lettuces.

The word quantity is a singular noun, isn't it?

Yes, and was would be preferable. However, the user was thinking of "a quantity of" as meaning several, many, etc. It is a minor error.

[boothling]

From Practical English Usage, by Michael Swan:

"The expressions a number of and a group of are used with plural nouns and pronouns, and the verb that follows is also plural.

A number of my friends are on holiday.
A group of us have decided to hire a boat."

I assume that the expression a quantity of is used in the same way.

A quantity of lettuces were in the truck.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by boothling

From Practical English Usage, by Michael Swan:

"The expressions a number of and a group of are used with plural nouns and pronouns, and the verb that follows is also plural.

A number of my friends are on holiday.
A group of us have decided to hire a boat."

I assume that the expression a quantity of is used in the same way.

A quantity of lettuces were in the truck.

Part of this is probably a difference between AE and BE. In AE, "group" is no different from "herd". It is a singular collective noun. "Number" is different. It doesn't fit the normal definition of collective. Even AE speakers would normally use a plural verb following a "number of.....".

I see quantity as being different from all the others, since it can be used with non-count nouns.

A quantity of ethanol was....
A quantity of flour was....
A quantity of sand was....