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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
listing were
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "listing were" is not correct in standard written English.
It appears to be a grammatical error, possibly a misplacement of words or a typo. Example: "The listing were not updated in time for the meeting." (should be "The listings were not updated...")
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
16 human-written examples
(The credits in the listing were for the program's Web site).
News & Media
He has an unlisted telephone number here, and messages left at the camp's business listing were not returned.
News & Media
He said that there were many duplicate depositors listed and that some of the accounts in the listing were opened long after the Nazi era.
News & Media
If a stock market listing were to arrive, you could visualise Wallace & Gromit celebrating in the City with an extra helping of cheese crackers.
News & Media
Google Street View was out of date, showing a construction site, with other residential buildings rising nearby, but the photos with the listing were promising.
News & Media
"They are the most aspirational brand in the world, and that really resonates with the Chinese," said one of the people with knowledge of the transaction, both of whom declined to be identified because the details of the listing were not public information.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
44 human-written examples
But the listing was encouraging.
News & Media
Listing was easy.
News & Media
This listing is absurd.
News & Media
The rootkit payload listing is listed hereafter.
Full listing is below.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always ensure subject-verb agreement. If you intend a plural subject, use "listings were". If the subject is singular, use "the listing was".
Common error
Avoid using "listing were" by carefully checking if "listing" refers to a single item or multiple items. If it's multiple, "listings were" is correct; otherwise, use "listing was".
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "listing were" functions as a subject and verb combination, intended to indicate a state or condition of a list. However, it's grammatically incorrect due to subject-verb disagreement, as highlighted by Ludwig.
Frequent in
News & Media
41%
Science
41%
Wiki
12%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "listing were" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As pointed out by Ludwig, the correct usage depends on whether you're referring to a single listing or multiple listings. If it's a single listing, the correct form is "the listing was"; if multiple, it's "listings were". Although the phrase appears in various contexts, including News & Media and Scientific publications, it is important to maintain grammatical accuracy for clear and effective communication. Remember to always check for subject-verb agreement in your writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
listings were
Corrects the subject-verb agreement by using the plural form of "listing".
the listing was
Corrects the subject-verb agreement by using the singular form of "listing" and matching the verb.
the items listed were
Uses "items" to generalize what is being listed, focusing on the listed objects.
the details listed were
Rephrases to emphasize that the details, not the listing itself, are the subject.
the entries were
Uses "entries" as a synonym for listing in a database or catalogue.
the records indicated
Shifts focus from the listing to the information that the records provided.
the specifications stated
Suitable when referring to technical or product specifications.
the particulars included
Emphasizes inclusion of specific details rather than the list itself.
the points mentioned were
Refers to specific "points" or arguments that have been mentioned.
the contents showed
Focuses on the information revealed by the contents of a listing.
FAQs
How do I correct the phrase "listing were" in a sentence?
The correction depends on whether you are referring to one listing or multiple listings. If it's one, use "the "listing was"". If there are multiple, use "listings were".
What's the difference between "listing was" and "listings were"?
"Listing was" is used when referring to a single list or item, while "listings were" is used for multiple lists or items. The choice depends on the subject's number.
Is "listing were" ever grammatically correct?
No, "listing were" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct forms are either ""listing was"" (singular) or "listings were" (plural).
What are some alternative phrases to using "listing were"?
Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "the details listed were", "the items listed were", or simply rephrase the sentence to avoid the construction altogether.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested