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was / were ?

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by isvas » Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:09 pm
Dominating both houses of Congress throughout the 1970s and 1980s was the Democratic party.

Dominating both houses of Congress throughout the 1970s and 1980s was
Dominating both houses of Congress throughout the 1970s and 1980s were
Both houses of Congress were throughout the 1970s and 1980s dominating
Both houses of Congress throughout the 1970s and 1980s dominated
Dominating both houses of Congress throughout was the 1970s and 1980s

[spoiler]OA: A
"the Democratic party," is singular, and takes the singular verb "was," so choice (A) is better than choice (B).
[/spoiler]

Should it not be[spoiler] 'were'?
Even if its singular for subjenctive - we use were, right?
He were - he is singular?[/spoiler]
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Source: — Sentence Correction |

by fibbonnaci » Sat Mar 13, 2010 10:36 pm
In this sentence there is no subjunctive mood.
Subjunctive mood expresses wish, opinion, emotion, possibility etc.

eg: If I were rich, I would buy the White House.
Note: this statement includes a possibility. the possiblity/wish of being rich. Thus this statement qualifies for the subjunctive mood.
But the sentence in our case is different. It reports hard facts. no emotions/ wishes. Thus the sentence is not subjunctive. It is a direct simple sentence.

Subject- Democratic Party- singular
Verb needs to be singular. Hence we use 'was' and not 'were'.

Hope this helps!
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by isvas » Sun Mar 14, 2010 1:38 am
thanks fibbonnaci
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by kstv » Sun Mar 14, 2010 3:54 am
The sentence is in passive voice the subject 'The democrats' is after the verb.
Just want to add - subjuncive mood deals with events that are not necessarily true.
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