Awence  +  503897 Tue, 22 Apr 08 05:09 PM The bunch of flowers (has, have) faded although i put (it, them) in water the moment (it, they) were cut. We have complained to the Health Department about it but so far (it, they ) (hasn't haven't) done anything about it. The management (does, do) (its, their) best to help the workers. In my opinion, i will use plural for number 1, singular for number 2, and singular for number 3. Though understanding that agreement for collective noun as such should be assessed by looking at the context of the subject, i m still confused, especially on how to explain them to my students. Could somebody teach me how to determine the answers for the above questions. Thank you.     Awence Joined on Thu, Jul 26 2007 Junior Member 70 Plurals, Nouns

	Susankay  +  504014 Tue, 22 Apr 08 11:14 PM The bunch of flowers (has, have) faded although i put (it, them) in water the moment (it, they) were cut. We have complained to the Health Department about it but so far (it, they ) (hasn't haven't) done anything about it. The management (does, do) (its, their) best to help the workers. Susankay Joined on Sat, Jan 19 2008 Full Member 201

	Grammar Geek  +  504021 Tue, 22 Apr 08 11:31 PM I would say 'they" for the Health Department. It's very, very common to refer to unspecified officials as "they." "They oughta pass a law" "When are 'they' going to do something about that?" Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,676 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!

	MrPedantic  +  504033 Tue, 22 Apr 08 11:50 PM In #1, I would agree with SK (has, them, they); and in #2, with GG (they, haven't). In #3, I would use the singular if the sentence was a statement by the management, and the plural where e.g. an obsequious employee was talking about the management. MrP MrPedantic Joined on Tue, Oct 12 2004 Veteran Member 12,592 ...opella forensis / adducit febris... Plurals