points go to or goes to

[ostap77]

If a country in the Eurovision song contest gets points, do we say "12 points go to" or "12 goes to"? Do we think about it as a mark or just a number of points that the country gets?

"How many points go on a record for 5 mph over the limit in Michigan?" from the Net.

The reason I was asking is that I was told that "12 points go to" would be incorrect and I was supposed to say "12 points goes to".

[ostap77]

If a country in the Eurovision song contest gets points, do we say "12 points go to" or "12 goes to"? Do we think about it as a mark or just a number of points that the country gets?

"How many points go on a record for 5 mph over the limit in Michigan?" from the Net.

The reason I was asking is that I was told that "12 points go to" would be incorrect and I was supposed to say "12 points goes to".

"did anyone notice one the eurovision song contest that when one counrty was giving their votes (i cant remember which country it was), messed up?? they gave 10 points to armenia, then someone said "can u say that again" and she was like laughing and saying "oh sorry, sorry, 10 points go to...... 12 points go to armenia" anyone think this was dodgy??"

I've been googling and I've figured out it's mainly "points go to" not "points goes to".

[Verona_82]

Not a teacher.
I think '12 points go to ..." is correct.
I might say something like "12 points is a high score in this game".

[ostap77]

Not a teacher.
I think '12 points go to ..." is correct.
I might say something like "12 points is a high score in this game".

I've just watched the finals of the Eurovision song contest in Athens 2006. Here's what I heard from Malta and the UK. It's "points go to". Though some non-native speakers would say "points goes to". I'm going to be watching other Eurovision song contests so I might come up with something in more detail.

[Soup]

The reason I was asking is that I was told that "12 points go to" would be incorrect and I was supposed to say "12 points goes to".

It depends on how you view the phrase 12 points.

If adjective (12) + noun (points), the verb agrees with the noun: 12 points go to. That is how I would say the phrase.

If noun (12) + modifying phrase (of the points), the verb agrees with the introducing noun: 12 (of the) points goes to. That is not how I would say the phrase, but I can see why some speakers might say it that way.