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Question on Have vs. Has

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jjjdolfan  #88951  Mon, 11 Apr 05 05:10 PM
I have a question on the use of "have" vs "has" in a sentence. In the sentecne below have appears on the first line "have honored the memory..." Should that be "has" honored the memory..?

Since 1985, the Northeast Kitchen & Bath Association have honored the memory of John J. "Jay" Edward's love and devotion to the Kitchen & Bath industry by rewarding students who selflessly perform acts of service for the good of others.

  
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abbie1948  #88986  Mon, 11 Apr 05 06:36 PM
Hi jjj

I would agree with you; Association is singular, therefore the verb should be 'has'. However, there is a difference of opinion, and some people say that 'association' implies a plurality of people, and they use "have".

  
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Hope that helps. Abbie
hbae787  #89054  Mon, 11 Apr 05 11:23 PM
"Association" belongs to the category of collective nouns.
Collective nouns have a dual status: both plural and singular depending on situation. If every single member of the group behaves or acts the same thing or the same way or as ONE SINGLE unit, the collective noun is considered singular. But if the members do different things then it must be plural.

ex.
1a. The jury agrees that the state prosecutors did not provide enough evidence, so its verdict is not guilty. (The jury acts in unison => singular)
2a. The baseball team follows its coach to a faraway field to practice.

but
1b. The jury seem not to believe the key witness therefore they dismiss any negative notion about the defendant's past.
2b. The basketball team play badly today.

Therefore, the verb "have" in the given sentence should be changed to "has" because the Association acts as one single unit.
"Since 1985, the Northeast Kitchen & Bath Association has honored the memory of John J. "Jay" Edward's love and devotion to the Kitchen & Bath industry by rewarding students who selflessly perform acts of service for the good of others. "
  
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Believer  #244502  Tue, 11 Jul 06 06:53 AM

Thank you.

Is it safe to say that all collective nouns have a dual status and must be considered singular if acting as A UNIT, and if individual members do different things, then it must be plural?  

Did I form the question correctly? Should it be written differently? Is punctuation correct?  

  
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Marius Hancu  #244571  Tue, 11 Jul 06 12:24 PM
 Believer wrote:
Did I form the question correctly? Should it be written differently? Is punctuation correct?  
I'd suggest identical/parallel constructions for the two alternatives:

Is it safe to say that all collective nouns have a dual status and must be considered singular if acting as A UNIT, and plural if the individual members do/perform different things?
  
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