In British English, words like "group", "team" etc. can take either singular or plural verbs, depending on whether the thing is viewed as a single entity or as a collection of individual entities. In this instance, I would more

Both is and are are acceptable after many words that are grammatically singular but are made up of many people. American English prefers the singular verb forms whereas the plural is very common in British English. As a matter of fact, I don't

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."

In following paragraph,which I quoted from the book, "Principles of economics", I think the verb in "that was the main" should be were not was. Am I right? The energy crisis of the 1970s, too, was blamed on nature's

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

I don't understand why 'are' comes into this. Surely "One of the countries" is singular. Can someone explain please? One is singular, that's why the main verb of the main clause is singular: is: One of the countries

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