[Grammar] a group v or v+s

[Over the top]

Hello
Which one is correct?
a group of people plays football
a group of people play football
My oxford dictionary suggests A group of us are going to the theatre.
so I guess it should be play, I don't know. anyone sheds light on this please.

Thanks a lot.

 

[albertino]

Hello
Which one is correct?
a group of people plays football
a group of people play football
My oxford dictionary suggests A group of us are going to the theatre.
so I guess it should be play, I don't know. anyone sheds light on this please.

Thanks a lot.

(Not a teacher)
Some nouns such as team, army, group or pack refer to a collection of persons, animals or things, which are usually singular unless the emphasis is on the individuals making up the collection. So, it depends on how you would like to express the subject in question, individually or collectively, which will have an impact on your choice of verb.