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Latest post Fri, Jun 26 2009 11:28 AM by Yoong Liat. 4 replies.
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Anonymous  +  795355 Thu, 25 Jun 09 08:41 PM
Which is correct?  Should you say, " A group of animals is passing by,"  or A group of animals are passing by."?
Best answer by Philip  +  795370 Thu, 25 Jun 09 08:50 PM
A group is (the prepositional phrase doesn't alter the fact that it is only one group).
All the other replies..
Yoong Liat  +  795925 Fri, 26 Jun 09 06:04 AM
Anonymous
“Which is correct?  Should you say, " A group of animals is passing by,"  or A group of animals are passing by."?

I think Philip's version is AmE. In BrE, either 'is' or 'are' is correct. If the animals are viewed as a group, use 'is'  and if perceived as individual animals use 'are'.

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Goodman  +  795978 Fri, 26 Jun 09 07:04 AM
American or British, "a group" of anything is always singular in my book.
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The name says it all!
Yoong Liat  +  796257 Fri, 26 Jun 09 11:28 AM
Goodman
“American or British, "a group" of anything is always singular in my book.

collective noun (grammar) a singular noun, such as 'committee' or 'team, that refers to a group of animals, people or things, and, in BrE, can be used with either a singular or plural verb. In AmE it must be used with a singular verb.


(Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

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