was/were: the government

[atm]

British English (BE) / American English (AE) argument over 'was and 'were' in the past simple.

Example:

The government was wrong to cut benefits. [BE.]

The government were wrong to cut benefits. [AE, allegedly.]

I am positive that BE is correct, however, I have a friend from Sweden who was told by an AE teacher that 'were' is correct in this instance as a government is made up of many individuals. My argument is that 'the government' is a singular noun referred to in the past simple, hence 'was' is right.

Another grey (gray?) area giving me gray (grey?) hair!

Your thoughts would be most appreciated.

Regards

atm

[Tdol]

It's a gre/ay area, but the general tendency is for AE speakers to use the singular and BE speakers to use the plural with collective nouns. I'd say both are right and would use the plural personally.

[Humble]

Hi, Atm,
I think was is peferred on both sides of the pond. I mean in this sentence.
Cheers

[thebossfan]

Yeah!
I have seen smth like Metallica are ....

[mykwyner]

To my American ear, the most noticible difference in written BrE is the use of plural verbs with collective nouns.

Jaguar have designed a new fuel injection system. (BrE)
General Motors has designed five new automobiles. (AE)

Although "Jaguar" is singular, the name means a group of people, (the cat couldn't design a car) so it is treated like a plural subject with the words "The engineers at..." elided.

"General Motors" has the appearance of a plural, but it is the name of a single entity, so Americans treat it as a singular.

[thebossfan]

But it is inconsistent with the first post, isn't it?

[mykwyner]

Yes, atm had his descriptions of BrE and AE reversed.

[Tdol]

Hi, Atm,
I think was is peferred on both sides of the pond. I mean in this sentence.
Cheers

Have a look here at the BBC- they regularly use the plural: BBC - Search results for government are
Example: BBC - collective - Government Support for Indie labels?

[atm]

Thank you, chums. I was wrong, you were right.

[Humble]

Have a look here at the BBC- they regularly use the plural:

Then I must be mistaken, sorry.