Class studies/study

[Rachel Adams]

If "class" is one of the words that takes either a singular or a plural verb it isn't only limited to the verb "to be", is it? For example, ."My class is very hardworking" and "My class are very hardworking" are
both correct but are the sentences below also correct?

1. "Her class studies two foreign languages."

2. "Her class study two foreign languages."

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

If "class" is one of the words that takes either a singular or a plural verb.

Sometimes. It depends on the context and which meaning of the word you're using.

It isn't only limited to the verb "to be", is it? For example: "My class is very hard-working" and "My class are very hard-working" are
both correct.

No, they're not.

But are the sentences below also correct?

One is.

1. "Her class studies two foreign languages."

Yes. What does her class do? It studies languages.

2. "Her class study two foreign languages."

No. Class is countable there, and it is singular. So her class studies.

When you use class to mean group of students or study session, the verb to be does not mean you don't have to pluralize.

Can you see the underlined words? If you cannot, I'll use quotation marks from now on. Thank you, Rachel!

 

[alexanderfinn]

This is not 100% true and there are regional variations. There are a good number of words that can be both singular and plural and 'class' is one of them.

The class meet on Fridays.

The class meets on Fridays.

The band has a huge repertoire.

The band have a huge repertoire.

The team are playing well.

The team is playing well.

All of these are a question of personal preference.

 

[GoesStation]

All of these are a question of personal preference.

Not in American English. Over here, all the above samples can only take the singular. This is a key area of difference between American and British English.

 

[Rachel Adams]

When you use class to mean group of students or study session, the verb to be does not mean you don't have to pluralize.

Can you see the underlined words? If you cannot, I'll use quotation marks from now on. Thank you, Rachel!

No. It's OK. Thank you!

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

No. It's OK. Thank you!

Good to know! From now on, I'll use quotation marks.