Were vs. was: Mixing plurals and singulars in metaphors.

JohnLine

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This comes up from time to time. Is it more correct to write:

He dreaded the century of debt that were his student loans.

or

He dreaded the century of debt that was his student loans.
?
 

blacbird

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The subject of the verb phrase in question is "century of debt", which is expressed as a singular thing, so, technically, "was". But in this case, I'd find a more expressive verb and restructure the sentence a bit to put the second verb after "student loans", maybe something like:

He dreaded the century of debt his student loans promised (or threatened).

In which case you don't need the "that" either.

caw
 

Curlz

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First one is correct. Not related to metaphors at all. I don't see a "verb phrase". Maybe a "noun phrase" :Thumbs:
 

blacbird

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First one is correct. Not related to metaphors at all. I don't see a "verb phrase". Maybe a "noun phrase" :Thumbs:

Yeah, in retrospect, I think you are correct. I got faked out by the order in which the verbs and nouns were presented, which is in any case awkward. The verb refers to "his student loans", not the "century of debt." Which is seen if the verb is more appropriately placed:

He dreaded the century of debt that his student loans were.

Which is still awkward, but would be greatly improved by a better verb, like "represented" or "promised".

caw

 

nickj47

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Equating a singular to a plural gets you in trouble sometimes. Phrasing it simpler: "His student loans were a century of debt," is correct but sounds odd. I like blac's "promised" better than "were".
 

guttersquid

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Keep it simple and avoid the whole was vs were thing.

He dreaded the century of student loan debt.