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Last Friday, a summons and complaint ____ filed.

Last Friday, a summons and complaint ____ filed.

was
were
Either could be used.


Votes: 198 Comments: 9 Added: April 2005
Comments:
RonBee - 22nd April 2005 00:46
Use "was" if there is no indefinite article ("a") before "complaint". Otherwise, use "were".
 
moonman - 7th July 2005 21:06
"Was" can only be correct if "summons and complaint" refers to a singular subject i.e. they are one and the same legal document, or both essential parts of a single legal process. As this most unlikely (I have never heard of such a singular legal reference), I respectfully suggest that 16 of you are quite incorrect. "Were" is the correct form here.
 
Counselor & Attorney - 6th December 2005 00:29
Actually, a summons and complaint IS part of a single legal filing, i.e., the initiation of a lawsuit. BOTH are filed (concurrently) when the lawsuit is first filed, but an amended complaint can be filed later without having to also file another summons.
 
nevar111 - 10th November 2006 03:34
As I recall from my school days, it should read "a summons and a complaint' clearly indicating two filings.
 
Judge Pickles - 15th November 2006 11:46
It's a single filing.
 
gardemarine - 11th January 2007 05:04
It's clearly 'were' because we have two things-summons and complaint. If 'is' is used, referring to only a complaint, then what happened to the summons?
 
Reiva - 1st March 2007 16:04
I feel 'were' is correct because summons and complaint are two but technically a lawyer and consultants comment may be right being expert in his field.
 
Dave - 8th September 2007 02:29
The correct response is "was" because they are referred to as one thing, like pen and paper or bacon and eggs.
 
Raby - 24th January 2008 17:33
well, it's about sth+sth else it means that it is quit clear that we've a plural form that's why we only use Were.
 
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