My family are (or is)

[bmo]

I am confused:

My family is from Italy.
My family are very close.
My family is poor.
My family are poor.
My family is very grateful.

Are these all correct? When do you use "are" or "is?"

In my opinion:

My family is... "My family" is treated as one unit.

My family are...I am saying every member in my family.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by bmo

I am confused:

My family is from Italy.
My family are very close.
My family is poor.
My family are poor.
My family is very grateful.

Are these all correct? When do you use "are" or "is?"

In American English, collective nouns are almost always treated as singular. In British English, it often depends on whether the speaker/writer sees the noun as a unit or as individuals. That seems to defeat the purpose of collective nouns, but that is how it is. 8)

[bmo]

thanks to jesse and mikenewyork, i think i got it. bmo

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by bmo

thanks to jesse and mikenewyork, i think i got it. bmo

You're welcome. :)

[Tdol]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

In British English, it often depends on whether the speaker/writer sees the noun as a unit or as individuals. That seems to defeat the purpose of collective nouns, but that is how it is. 8)

Watch it.

From grammar point of view, the word 'family' is singular, so I would use 'is'.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by tdol

Watch it.

:wink: :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink:

[chris0103]

when you speak of your family or a family in general, you are talking about a single group. So, family is, is the correct usage. One exception is "the people in my family are crazy, nice......whatever. This is because you have changed the subject to a plural, people.