the USA has...

[ripley]

Hi,
I've read this sentence:
The Usa has become a world power.....

why do they use Has instead of have? are both possibile?
Thanks
Rip

 

[Soup]

Hi,
I've read this sentence:
The Usa has become a world power.....

why do they use Has instead of have? are both possibile?
Thanks
Rip

The USA is seen as a country in that context, so It has... .

 

[TheParser]

Hi,
I've read this sentence:
The Usa has become a world power.....

why do they use Has instead of have? are both possibile?
Thanks
Rip

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


(1) This is a popular question that has been asked many times.

(2) The answer from many people:

You are 100% correct: The "correct" answer should be

the United States have/ are, etc.

(3) In fact, until our Civil War (1861 - 1865), we considered

ourselves many states in voluntary association. So it is said that

before 1861, most people would say "The United States are ...."

(4) After the Civil War (in which about 600,000 young men died),

the idea of one united country became more and more the idea that

we decided to live by.

 

[Tdol]

(3) In fact, until our Civil War (1861 - 1865), we considered

ourselves many states in voluntary association. So it is said that

before 1861, most people would say "The United States are ...."

Is it true that people used the form These United States in those days?


Also, in BrE, it's common to see the plural for the US.

 

[5jj]

Also, in BrE, it's common to see the plural for the US.

Oh, I am out of touch then. The only time I have heard the plural used is in American films (movies) set in the past.

 

[Tdol]

Here's one that uses the plural (headline) and singular (first paragraph):
World Cup 2022: Qatar impress but USA are favourites | Football | The Guardian

 

[TheParser]

Is it true that people used the form These United States in those days?


Also, in BrE, it's common to see the plural for the US.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


(1) Great question. Hopefully, someone who knows history well will

answer the question regarding "these."

(2) Regarding your other post in this thread, isn't it true (of course,

I do not know) that the British always use a plural verb for sports

teams?

 

[Soup]

(1) Great question. Hopefully, someone who knows history well will answer the question regarding "[T]hese United States]."

See languagehat.com: THESE UNITED STATES.

 

[5jj]

Here's one that uses the plural (headline) and singular (first paragraph):
World Cup 2022: Qatar impress but USA are favourites | Football | The Guardian

That's different. That's the USA as a football team. England are plural then, as are America (and Quatar).

 

[riquecohen]

These United States is a rock/pop band , originally from Washington, D.C.

 

[5jj]

These United States is a rock/pop band , originally from Washington, D.C.

In BrE the band, whether or not we use its/their name, are/is originally from Wasington DC.

 

[TheParser]

Is it true that people used the form These United States in those days?


Also, in BrE, it's common to see the plural for the US.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


(1) VIP Member Soup's link was really helpful and insightful in answering

your great question.

(2) I then was given the idea to ask "Professor Google."

(3) I found these quaint examples:

(a) Whereas a good understanding and friendly intercourse between the subjects of her Imperial Majesty the Empress of all the Russias and these United States may be for the mutual advantage of both nations.

Source: An American document from December 15, 1780. It is necessary to remember, however, that in 1780, we were not operating under our present Constitution. Before General Washington became the first president in 1789, our country was truly a collection of independent states.

(b) Humanly speaking, no circumstances can prevent these United States from becoming, eventually, and at no distant period, a great and powerful nation.

Source: a book written in 1818.

(c) And a 1870 book about American copyright laws refers to

books "within these United States."