Should I use was or were in this line?
The following informations about this item was contributed by Mr.X: Item price, Item location.
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5"Following informations" (plural) should be corrected to "following information" (singular) because "information" is uncountable. Once the subject has been corrected, then the verb should be the singular form, "was".– fjackCommented Apr 25, 2016 at 14:44
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@fjack: thanks for the answer. May I know what you mean by "information" is uncountable? I am showing two variables price and location. Isn't it countable?– Queen SarahCommented Apr 25, 2016 at 16:20
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@fjack Pls write an answer, if you would.– user3169Commented Apr 25, 2016 at 16:48
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@QueenSarah: A good question. +1 for you– Kushan RandimaCommented Apr 26, 2016 at 12:06
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1 Answer
You should use "was" here.
There is another correction for you. Since "information" is an uncountable noun, it has no plural form.
When you are using 'commas' with list of words, just use 'and' in between to separate the last two words. You can use 'commas' in between to separate other words
Finally, see your sentence below after fixing grammar issues
"The following information about this item was contributed by Mr.X: Item price and Item location."
Please comment on this if you need more clarifications. Cheers!
answered Apr 25, 2016 at 17:54
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Note that #3 is not a universally accepted rule. Many people usually included a comma before the and at the end of a list. ("Oxford comma" or "Serial comma") Multiple websites provide humorous examples of misunderstandings that could arise due to omission of this punctuation. google.com/#q=funny+oxford+comma– AdamCommented Apr 25, 2016 at 18:12