Pleasehelp: Many usage experts explain that "public" takes a singular verb in American English; a plural verb in British English. You will also notice this with other words, such as "government."

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

Could we have used the singular verb "differs" in your sentence? No. Two things always differ from one another, not differs . American (usage) and British usage differ. You have to have two things, or there is no comparison. One thing

Hi, Could we have used the singular verb "differs" in your sentence? I think you are using the word "usage" as an uncountable noun. What is the difference between yours and this? New and old equipment needs (need?) to be fixed.

Hi, that's because some verbs and expressions require the subjunctive. Below is an excerpt from Swann's book (§567).* 1. What is the subjunctive? Some language have special forms called 'subjunctives', which are used

According to Merriam Webster's Dictionary of (American) English Usage, "Clearly none has been both singular and plural since Old English and still is. If in context it seems like a singular to you, use a singular verb; if it seems like a

According to Merriam Webster's Dictionary of (American) English Usage, "Clearly none has been both singular and plural since Old English and still is. If in context it seems like a singular to you, use a singular verb; if it seems like a

: 1) All sales staff are hereby being informed that .. 2) All sales staff is hereby being informed that .. Staff is a collective noun; in other words, it is grammatically singular but refers to many people. Usage varies. Both is and are are

None can be used in formal writing with either a singular or a plural verb depending on context. This topic has been amply discussed in the following usage note from American Heritage Dictionary. Usage Note : It is widely asserted that none is

RobertE wrote on 05 Jul 2004: Before an AmE speaker jumps back saying, "Well *I've* never ... an AmE classroom. Admittedly she was a rather strict traditionalist. Most American native English speakers would probably say "The