was-were/ modifier-possessor

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi,

Would you please helpp me with a couple of questions?

  1. Is there any objective reason why we use the verb “were” rather than “was” in an “if-clause”?

  2. In compound nouns like “car door,” does the first noun function as the possessor of the latter one or as its modifier?

  3. Is the satatement “There is a lot of people” correct? cause I heard it in a movie.

  4. Isn’t there any structural problem with the following questions?

2

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  1. Is there any objective reason why we use the verb “were” rather than “was” in an “if-clause”?-- Yes: historically precedent and social acceptability.

  2. In compound nouns like “car door,” does the first noun function as the possessor of the latter one or as its modifier?– Its modifier.

  3. Is the statement “There is a lot of people” correct? cause I heard it in a movie.– It is acceptable in informal English.

  4. Isn’t there any structural problem with the following questions?-- Where are they?
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