My family is/are close

[susanazul]

This setence started a discussion in my 12 year old son English class. I would like your help. Wich one is correct after all? "My family is close" or "My family are close"? Thanking you in advance for your attention, Susana.

[mykwyner]

The question of whether collective (group) nouns should be treated as singular or plural is generally a regional one. Most Americans say, "My family is close," "My team has won," "Our company was in debt." Other English speakers (British, Canadian, Australian, or others) may use plural verbs in these sentences.
Let's see what the other English teachers (and speakers) from around the world have to say.

[Dr. Jamshid Ibrahim]

Family and some other words like team, depending upon the speaker's perspective, can be seen either as:
1. a unit (singular): The family is/was here.
2. a group of people (members of a family) especially if the family (members) are known to the speaker. Police is always plural: The police are here.

This difference might disappear and the American way (always singular) stay as the only possible usage.

[Tdol]

The tendency in British English seems to be a greater use of the plural form, so I don't see the American way taking hold there.