| Poll | | | Is the phrase "Once upon a time..." | | Overused | | 33% | [ 1 ] | | Underused | | 67% | [ 2 ] |
| | Total Votes : 3 |
|
| Monthly Writing Prompt |
For this month's writing prompt write a scene using the following sentence to start;
The streets were deserted. Where was everyone? Where had they all gone?
|
| Writing Tip |
Our monthly writing tips are written by our very own TerishD. You can read more in Terish's Blog located in "The Abstractions" area of the forum.
Look Back
When not able to write ahead, it helps to look back. In my case I had written a paragraph ahead of the story. What I needed to do was add a section of exposition (talking) presenting some facts. In going back, I realized that I could insert a section where a 'tour' of the surroundings could be done. This allowed for character interaction, story development, and other things that enabled me to present the facts in an entertaining manner.
One should not face a writer's block with the mentality of bursting through it. I have found in my own experience that a writer's block is usually due to my mind indicating that it has a problem in 'channeling' the story. One reason might be a re-imagining of certain story points. Another reason however is that there is a problem in where you are at in the story, so you need to look back and find out the problem with the 'journey' that prevents the tale from advancing.
|
| | | Were/Was |  |
| | | Author | Message |
|---|
Snacker
Number of posts : 818
Age : 39
Location : Stuck in Michigan
Current Mood : 
Registration date : 2008-07-17
|  Subject: Were/Was  February 26th 2009, 4:31 pm | |
| I often see people using 'was' when it's suppose to be 'were', whether it's in lyrics, on TV or in daily chit-chat, it is often used wrong. I try to explain it using my own words, if someone has something to add, please do so:
Generally 'was' is used to refer to a singular noun while 'were' is used to refer to a plural noun.
Example:
I was
You were
He/She/It was
We were
You were
They were
The past form of ‘to be’ verb (is/am/was/were...etc) is always ‘were’, regardless of the subject, gender, and number.
Example:
If he were rich, he could be the car he always dreamed of. | |
| | | | TerishD
Number of posts : 1441
Age : 64
Location : Ringgold, Louisiana
Current Mood : 
Registration date : 2008-07-21
| | Subject: Re: Were/Was February 26th 2009, 5:46 pm | |
| - Snacker wrote:
- Generally 'was' is used to refer to a singular noun while 'were' is used to refer to a plural noun.
Generally, no, ALWAYS. WAS is singular (past form of IS) and WERE is plural (past form of ARE). Any confusion anyone should have is with what nouns are plural and what nouns are singular. I am not talking about plurals, but singular groups. The rock band WAS good last night. - Snacker wrote:
- The past form of ‘to be’ verb (is/am/was/were...etc) is always ‘were’, regardless of the subject, gender, and number.
Uh, are you sure? I am a coward.
I WAS a coward. - Snacker wrote:
- Example:
If he were rich, he could be the car he always dreamed of. Excuse me for chuckling, but you didn't read that after you wrote it - did you? If I become rich, can I become a car? BE should be BUY, and you should not end a sentence with a preposition. First: proper rewrite -If he were rich, he could buy the car he always dreamed of possessing. Second: retort -Well, you know, my word processor did not flag it with WERE or WAS. You might be correct about the historic rule, although modern usage might be more liberal. I thus played with sounding it out, and both versions sounded proper to me. I then altered it with a proper noun ("If Bob were rich"), and WERE sounded wrong. Huh, luckily, I have one of my language references showing up tonight (he is actually a history buff, but he studies language as well). I will thus check this out and post an update (we tend to finish late, so it might not be posted until tomorrow). | |
| | | | Snacker
Number of posts : 818
Age : 39
Location : Stuck in Michigan
Current Mood :
Registration date : 2008-07-17
| | Subject: Re: Were/Was February 26th 2009, 6:07 pm | |
| Yes of course the sentence had to be with 'buy' and not 'be'. The sad thing is, though, that I read it twice before I posted it and I didn't see it. I was looking forward to your comment Terish, because I was certain you'd say something.
This is kinda the way I learned it in school, and so far it's never failed me. I myself know when to use which one, but explaining it to others was never that easy for me. I'm looking forward to the update though! | |
| | | | TerishD
Number of posts : 1441
Age : 64
Location : Ringgold, Louisiana
Current Mood :
Registration date : 2008-07-21
| | Subject: Reply February 26th 2009, 11:59 pm | |
| Okay, here is the answer -
cue music
If I were a rich man, ya-da-da
turning the music off
The reason is: subjunctive contrary to fact
Now, note, this only applies if it is hypothetical. If it is conditional, such as: 'If I was to get a million dollars, I would buy a car,' THEN normal rules apply (that is why I used WAS). That is why a word processor will normally not flag either way, it cannot tell.
Okay, now we know. | |
| | | | Sponsored content
| | Subject: Re: Were/Was | |
| |
| | | | | | Were/Was | |
|
| | Permissions in this forum: | You cannot reply to topics in this forum
| |
| |
| |
