---
id: 6750651aafcea04c6958a4e5
title: Task 40
challengeType: 22
dashedName: task-40
lang: en-US
---

<!-- (Audio) James: Everything else was running smoothly once the database issue was fixed. -->

# --instructions--

Listen to the audio and complete the sentence below.

# --fillInTheBlank--

## --sentence--

`Everything else BLANK running smoothly once the database issue was fixed.`

## --blanks--

`was`

### --feedback--

This word is the singular form of the verb `to be` in the Simple Past, used with subjects like `everything`, `something`, `anything`, and `nothing`.

# --explanation--

Words like `everything`, `something`, `anything`, and `nothing` are indefinite pronouns that take singular verbs, even though they may refer to multiple items or concepts. For example:  

- `Everything was ready for the presentation.` - `Everything` refers to all things and requires a singular verb.

- `Something is wrong with the code.` - `Something` refers to an unspecified thing and takes a singular verb.

- `Is anything missing from the report?` - `Anything` refers to any one thing in a general sense and uses a singular verb.

- `Nothing was found in the logs.`  - `Nothing` refers to the absence of things and requires a singular verb)

In the sentence `Everything else was running smoothly`, you use `was` because `everything` is treated as singular, even though it refers to multiple elements.

# --scene--

```json
{
  "setup": {
    "background": "interview-room3.png",
    "characters": [
      {
        "character": "James",
        "position": {
          "x": 50,
          "y": 15,
          "z": 1.2
        },
        "opacity": 0
      }
    ],
    "audio": {
      "filename": "B1_2-1.mp3",
      "startTime": 1,
      "startTimestamp": 48.3,
      "finishTimestamp": 51.6
    }
  },
  "commands": [
    {
      "character": "James",
      "opacity": 1,
      "startTime": 0
    },
    {
      "character": "James",
      "startTime": 1,
      "finishTime": 4.3,
      "dialogue": {
        "text": "Everything else was running smoothly once the database issue was fixed.",
        "align": "center"
      }
    },
    {
      "character": "James",
      "opacity": 0,
      "startTime": 4.8
    }
  ]
}
```
