Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[ClarissaMach]

When we use the expression "a lot", we're supposed to use "was" or "were"? For example:

There were a lot of things to be done.

There was a lot of things to be done.

Was there a lot of mistakes in your dictation?

Were there a lot of mistakes in your dictation?
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Stormy Weather.

[Lorikeet]

It doesn't connect to "a lot". It connects to the noun. If it's non-count, you use "was" and if it's plural, you use "were."

There were a lot of things on the desk.
There was a lot of milk in the refrigerator.
There were a lot of apples on the table.
There was a lot of bread in the store.