Collective nouns

[Anna232]

These sentences are from CPE Use of English by Virginia Evans. Can both the singular and plural forms of the verb be used in British English?
1. The clergy is/are responsinsible for the spiritual welfare of the parish.
2. The audience was/were appreciative of his musical talents.
3. The public is/are unaware of the problem.
4. The crew was/were all experienced sailors.
5. The jury is/are spending a long time over the verdict.
6.The team was/were wearing an identical strip.
7. The committee is/are respinsible for fund-raising.

 

[5jj]

What does Virginia Evans say?

 

[Anna232]

What does Virginia Evans say?

There is a list of collective nouns but the book doesn't say which of them takes both.

 

[Anna232]

There is a list of collective nouns but the book doesn't say which of them takes both.

The book says they can take either form but it's not clear from the answer key why some of them are given with only one form. For example, the clergy is are, the audience was/were, but the public is, the team was, the crew were, the jury is/are, the committte is.

 

[5jj]

There are no hard and fast rules in BrE these days, though the general preference is for the plural verb. I could use either form in all of your examples,