Singular or Plural Verb after a Collective Noun: Guidelines and Examples
The choice between a singular or a plural verb after a collective noun can sometimes be perplexing. However, understanding the context in which the collective noun is used can help clarify whether to use a singular or plural verb. This article delves into the rules and examples to effectively choose the right verb form.
Understanding Collective Nouns in English Grammar
Collective nouns refer to a group of people, animals, or things acting together as a single unit. The choice between a singular or plural verb involves understanding the emphasis on the group as a whole or as individual members. In English, the standard rule suggests using a singular verb when the group is seen as a single unit, and a plural verb when the emphasis is on the individuals.
General Rule and Exceptions
The general guideline is: if the collective noun is acting as a single entity, use the singular verb; if it is acting as individuals, use the plural verb. For instance:
Singular Verb: Our army is very strong. (Here, the army is acting as a single entity.)
Plural Verb: Our army are very strong. (Here, the focus is on the individual troops.)
However, this rule has exceptions. In American English, collective nouns are generally treated as singular, while in British English, they can be used in both singular and plural forms, depending on the context and emphasis.
Common Exceptions and Special Cases
Some nouns require the use of a plural verb regardless of the context. These include 'police', 'cattle', 'the youth', and 'the elderly'. For example:
The police are investigating the case.
The cattle are grazing on the hill.
These nouns always denote a collective group that behaves as individuals, thus requiring a plural verb.
Historical and Cultural Context
The usage of singular or plural verbs with collective nouns can vary historically and culturally. For instance, Rossiter’s Descriptive Grammar of English provides an example indicating the difference:
The British government have decided to increase security measures.
The US administration has decided to increase security measures.
Even within cultures, the usage can vary based on the specific sentence structure and the intended emphasis.
Contemporary Examples and Confusions
Modern usage can be further nuanced. For example, the word 'police' can be used as a plural in both the UK and the US. Similarly, corporate names that act as collective entities may exhibit both singular and plural verb usage. Here are a couple of examples from the Washington Post:
Google is ...
Google are ...
These examples highlight the potential confusion and the flexibility in grammatical rules.
Usage in Sentences
Collective nouns such as 'team', 'family', and 'group' are often singular when the noun is acting as a whole, and plural when the individuals are acting independently. Here are some examples:
The football team is playing today.
The football team are in disagreement over their tactics.
These sentences emphasize different aspects of the team: playing together as one unit versus members having different opinions.
In conclusion, the choice between a singular or plural verb after a collective noun depends on whether the focus is on the group as a single unit or as individual members. Understanding this distinction and recognizing common exceptions can help ensure grammatical correctness in both academic and casual writing.