the sum was not difficult vs the sum were not difficult

The correct phrase is 'the sum was not difficult'. 'Sum' is a singular noun, so it should be paired with the singular verb 'was'. 'Were' is the plural form of the verb 'to be' and is not appropriate in this context.

Last updated: March 23, 2024

the sum was not difficult

This phrase is correct. 'Sum' is a singular noun, so it should be paired with the singular verb 'was'.

This phrase is used to describe a sum or calculation that was not challenging or hard to complete.

Show examples from the web [+]

Difficult Sums For Children. Therefore, in this house, absolute silence.
Difficult Sums For Children isn't catchy enough.
Mr President, it is very difficult to sum up this topic.
I am going to set you the most difficult sum you have ever seen.
I end by saying that the situation is very difficult to sum up.
The sum was raised from donations by governments, individual philanthropists and associations.
That after all, the sum was not what had been anticipated.
The request for recovery must be made no later than five years from the date on which the sum was paid.
In one case, the Eurojust College was notified of a transfer of 349500 euro even though the sum was already part of the amending budget presented a few weeks earlier.
The sum was allocated over a two-year period, with NOK 10000000 being paid in 1998 and NOK 26000000 in 1999.
The sum was allocated over a two-year period, NOK 10 million being paid in 1998 and the remaining NOK 26 million in 1999.
The order to freeze it was made by reason of the Commission's Decision of 30 March 2004: thus the sum was frozen as a precaution against the need to recover it.
The sum was easily done: a 3 % increase in the general budget, a 0.5 % increase in the agricultural budget, an 8 % increase in the Structural Funds.
It's difficult to understand the sum of a person's life.
Since the (annual) exchange rate communicated by the institutions responsible becomes out of date so rapidly, it is difficult to estimate the sums actually available for real contracts.
At the time when the sum of EUR 130312459 was advanced to Olympic Airways, Olympic Airways was already in a very difficult financial situation.
The discussions on the budget guidelines and the Fund Regulations for 2007-2013 began under difficult circumstances, marked by obvious differences in opinion between the 25 Member States as to what the sums involved should be and how they should be allocated.
I cannot recall a time when this sum was as substantial.
This sum was intended to finance the acquisition of Wegtransport BV by ABX Logistics Holding.
on the assumption that giving effect to a judgment annulling the decision or decisions would be very difficult, order the defendant to pay the sum of EUR 45600;

the sum were not difficult

This phrase is incorrect. 'Sum' is a singular noun and should be paired with the singular verb 'was'.

Show examples from the web [+]

Difficult Sums For Children. Therefore, in this house, absolute silence.
Difficult Sums For Children isn't catchy enough.
Mr President, it is very difficult to sum up this topic.
I am going to set you the most difficult sum you have ever seen.
I end by saying that the situation is very difficult to sum up.
I am thinking it is a discrepancy in how the sums were entered but if not...
Where the institution has exercised the option provided for in Article 112, the contract staff member's retirement pension rights shall be reduced proportionately in respect of the period in which the sums were withdrawn.
Where a member of the temporary staff has exercised the option provided for in Article 90, his severance grant shall be reduced proportionately in respect of the period in which the sums were withdrawn.
It's difficult to understand the sum of a person's life.
Where a member of the contract staff has exercised the option provided for in Article 131, the contract staff member's severance grant shall be reduced proportionately in respect of the period in which the sums were withdrawn.
Doubts regarding final recipients, the amounts actually spent, the projects funded, basically, to what end the sums were actually put (we could add: in Iraq, in Afghanistan or in Kosovo, to name but a few examples).
Since the (annual) exchange rate communicated by the institutions responsible becomes out of date so rapidly, it is difficult to estimate the sums actually available for real contracts.
At the time when the sum of EUR 130312459 was advanced to Olympic Airways, Olympic Airways was already in a very difficult financial situation.
The discussions on the budget guidelines and the Fund Regulations for 2007-2013 began under difficult circumstances, marked by obvious differences in opinion between the 25 Member States as to what the sums involved should be and how they should be allocated.
The bank statements show substantial sums were withdrawn in the lead up to the wedding.
I noticed lump sums were being deposited into her account at Community Trust and Loan on a regular basis.
What sums were earmarked for the abovementioned purpose for 2011?
Which budget lines and sums were reserved for her activities?
And so, on this point, we were pathetic, even though astronomical sums were spent with the aim of promoting these standards.
on the assumption that giving effect to a judgment annulling the decision or decisions would be very difficult, order the defendant to pay the sum of EUR 45600;

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the sum was not difficult vs the sum were not difficult