That- Pronoun -verb confusion

Question

Hi

Can anyone clarify my doubt regarding the following-

1. A series of hockey matches  was /were  lost by China.

2. The series of interstate hockey matches that  was/ were  sponsored by P&G was/were banned by China.

3. Greece residents are finding themselves in the middle of a series of austerity drives that  is/ are  caused by EU's insistence on monetary checks.

To be specific please tell me which verb is appropriate ?

The above sentences are self made and I am confused by the usage of the word series

ENGRTOMBA2018 · Answer

Here is my take on the question. First off, series can be both singular and plural depending on the context. I can watch a series of matches ( 'a' series: singular) or I can watch series of matches (series : plural).

1. A series of hockey matches was lost by China.
'A' series makes the subject 'a series' singular.

2. The series of interstate hockey matches that were sponsored by P&G were banned by China.
Tricky. IMHO it should be plural for both the verbs as relative clause after 'that' takes the verb number of the noun immediately preceding it.

3. Greece residents are finding themselves in the middle of a series of austerity drives that are caused by EU's insistence on monetary checks.
'drives' is plural and thus the verb is plural.

As a rule of thumb, whenever you have a relative clause starting with 'that', the verb 'number' goes with the noun just before 'that'.

That- Pronoun -verb confusion

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