The Beatles were the most famous rock'n'roll band in the world?

[keannu]

They were a single group, but is "were" used instead of "was"?
Is it because they were composed of plural four people?

ex)The Beatles were the most famous rock'n'roll band in the world?

 

[SoothingDave]

I think it's used cause the word "Beatles" is plural.

 

[aj.simms]

Warning: Not a teacher!

I don't know whether it's because the word Beatles is plural. Take a band name that's not a plural (say, Coldplay). I'd still say "Coldplay were great last night."

 

[Barb_D]

I'd be more likely to use the plural verb for a group that has a plural name, and more likely to use the singular verb for a group that has a singular name.

The Miami Heat is, but the Detroit Pistons are.

In the US, we're more likely to use the singular verb for group nouns that I understand other dialects are: The company is, the staff was, etc.

 

[Tdol]

I would generally use the plural like AJ Simms, regardless of whether the band's name was singular or plural. (BrE speaker)

 

[SoothingDave]

I'd say "Coldplay was great." Pink Floyd is a great band, but the Rolling Stones are my favorite.