The United States was in vs The United States were in

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'The United States was in' is used when referring to the country as a singular entity, while 'The United States were in' is used when referring to the states within the country as a plural entity.

Last updated: March 19, 2024 • 823 views

This phrase is correct when referring to the United States as a singular entity.

"The United States was in"

This phrase is used when talking about the United States as a single country or entity.

Show examples from the web [+]

The first capital under the Constitution of the United States was in New York, but in 1790 it was moved to Philadelphia. Here it was continued until 1800, when ...
Sep 21, 2015 ... According to The Huffington Post, the last papal visit to the United States was in 2008 when Pope Benedict XVI met with President George W.
Sep 30, 2015 ... Earnest said Russia will be as successful in Syria as the United States was in Iraq. JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE: The fact is President ...
1850[edit]. By 1850, the United States was in the midst of the First Industrial Revolution. Rank, City, State, Population, Notes. 1, New York City · New York ...

Alternatives:

The United States was founded in 1776.

This phrase is correct when referring to the states within the United States as a plural entity.

"The United States were in"

This phrase is used when talking about the individual states within the United States as a group.

Show examples from the web [+]

On January 1, 2008 more than 1 in 100 adults in the United States were in prison or jail. Total US incarceration peaked in 2008. Total correctional population ...
percent) of international students from Colombia in the United States were in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) field and 19 percent ...
Fifty percent of Egyptian diaspora members in the United States were in professional or managerial occupations, compared to 31 percent of the U.S. general ...
The first known polio outbreak in the United States was in Vermont in 1894. The last cases of wild (naturally occurring) polio in the United States were in 1979 in ...

Alternatives:

The United States were divided on the issue.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

The United States was in vs The United States were in

"The United States was in"

"The United States were in"

Related Comparisons