singular or plural - A GROUP OF...

MiaL · #1 (**permalink**) 18-Dec-2006, 12:21

Hi!

I'd like to know if both sentences are acceptable in English:
A group of children are having a party.
A group of children is having a party.

Thank you for your help,

Mia

MikeNewYork · #2 (**permalink**) 18-Dec-2006, 13:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiaL

Hi!

I'd like to know if both sentences are acceptable in English:
A group of children are having a party.
A group of children is having a party.

Thank you for your help,

Mia

In AmE, the second would be preferred; the first would not be rare.

MiaL · #3 (**permalink**) 18-Dec-2006, 13:30

What about in British English? Is it completely wrong to use "is"? Is there a rule?

MikeNewYork · #4 (**permalink**) 18-Dec-2006, 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiaL

What about in British English? Is it completely wrong to use "is"? Is there a rule?

I don't think "is" would be wrong in Britain, but it would be less common than in the US.

Tdol · #5 (**permalink**) 18-Dec-2006, 14:41

Mike's right; the singular can be used there in British English, but the tendency nowadays seems to be towards the plural for collective nouns.


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