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."

That explanation is more germane to British English, and it seems satisfactory. Most collective nouns are treated invariably as singular nouns in American English. CJ

Consider the application of an S is a function of the word in agreement with plurality. Toward(s) is a prerposition; when the object of the preposition is plural, add the s for agreement in number. Anon, where did you get that from? Sorry, but

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.

I really don't understand your question. You are asking for a plural noun that behaves like a singular word? That is a contradiction in terms. There are some collective nouns which behave differently between British and American English (i.e.

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