- Joined
- Nov 13, 2002
- Native Language
- British English
- Home Country
- UK
- Current Location
- Japan
Both what?
Plural: The class respect the teacher.
Plural: The class are debating among themselves.
Both what?
Makes sense. Again in British novels, I often see group nouns (e.g. group) coupled with plural verbs: the group are restless, the committee were divided.Most BrE speakers nowadays would use the plural for both, and some style guides for BrE recommend this.
The rule here is that there are not any - collective nouns can be singular or plural.
But you should be consistent. If in doubt, do what comes naturally.
Re: police
It's interesting how the BBC feels the need to make a distinction there.
Like the number five when throwing hand grenades, number 2 is right out. (We don't actually say anything is right out in American English except when quoting Monty Python.) Number 1 is my first choice, and the seemingly-illogical number 3 works OK.I wonder which of the following our AmE-speaking members prefer?
- The L.A.P.D. says it is looking for three men.
- The L.A.P.D. say they are looking for three men.
- The L.A.P.D. says they are looking for three men.
Well, I don't go along with the BBC on that one. I'd use 'are'.
Like the number five when throwing hand grenades, number 2 is right out. (We don't actually say anything is right out in American English except when quoting Monty Python.) Number 1 is my first choice, and the seemingly-illogical number 3 works OK.
Number 1 is my first choice, and the seemingly-illogical number 3 works OK.
The LAPD means "the Los Angeles Police Department", which is singular, hence my choice of number 1. The police is a collective noun which takes a plural form in American English, so only 2b and 2c work.
1. The L.A.P.D. says it is looking for three men.
2. The L.A.P.D. say they are looking for three men.
3. The L.A.P.D. says they are looking for three men.
Thanks. One more question. Let's change the subject phrase to something a bit less specific. Same answer?
1b. The police says it is looking for three men.
2b. The police say they are looking for three men.
3b. The police says they are looking for three men.
And finally, even less specific:
1c. Police says it is looking for three men.
2c. Police say they are looking for three men.
3c. Police says they are looking for three men.
I assume that nobody would choose anything other than 2c. Why is this?
We won't necessarilty agree, but:I wonder which of the following our AmE-speaking members prefer?
- The L.A.P.D. says it is looking for three men.
- The L.A.P.D. say they are looking for three men.
- The L.A.P.D. says they are looking for three men.