total calories was or were?

[claig]

Hi,

At first I thought it was correct to say
"the total calories were 1000"
but then I had doubts, because total is singular, I think, so now I think it should be
"the total calories was 1000"

Help! Which one is correct?

I'd say 'were' as calories is plural. Or I'd rephrase the sentence if it was making me go every time I read it.

thanks, MrsKwazii, "were" does sound better to the ear. I think you are right about the important thing being that calories is plural.

I guess it is like saying "the total contents of the jar were emptied out"

I think it should probably be 'total calories was' as, like you say, if you miss out the word 'calories' the sentence would be 'the total was'.

But I have been getting stupider over the last few years and now have pg brain on top of that so am probably not best placed to answer this!!

thanks Pesha. I'm not sure anymore.

See now your 'total contents of the jar were' does sound right so I am confused!

I'd play it safe and rephrase the sentence!!

try changing to "the total number of calories was..."

Yes, I think I'll rephrase it. Thanks.

babaeagle, fantastic. That is a brilliant workaround. I will remember that one. It is really useful.

Glad to be of no help at all

great to find someone who appreciates my passion words and grammar - you must talk to dh :o

Everyone has been of great help, thanks. MN has the answer to every problem.