[Grammar] two-thirds of the pancake were

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Oceanlike

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2014
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Chinese
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Singapore
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Singapore
I think I should use "were" instead of "was"

- Shocked that two-thirds of the huge cake were eaten by Lizzy, I ......

(a) Since I can count a cake, so I should use "were" for "two-thirds of the huge cake". Is this right?

(b) If I say "two-thirds of the clean water", then I should use "was"?
 
I think I should use "were" instead of "was"

- Shocked that two-thirds of the huge cake were eaten by Lizzy, I ......

(a) Since I can count a cake, so I should use "were" for "two-thirds of the huge cake". Is this right?
No. Fractions less than one are singular.

(b) If I say "two-thirds of the clean water", then I should use "was"?
Yes, for the same reason.
 
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