I can't believe I never knew this until just now.

[prillalar]

I always thought the singular vs plural status of collective nouns was one of those NA vs UK things. But then I found this.

This is from a style guide on a Canadian government site, so it's possible it only applies to Canada. But I'm in Canada, so that's fine.

Collective nouns such as board, cabinet, commission, committee, council, government, group, majority, number, and series take their verb or pronoun in either the singular or plural, depending upon the context in which they are used. Use the plural when the action is taken by the individual members considered in their separate capacities, and use the singular when the group acts or thinks as a whole:

The committee have discussed all aspects of the case and have not yet reached agreement.

The committee approved the motion unanimously and directed its subcommittee to take immediate action.

Is it different where you live?

Comments

[girliejones.livejournal.com]

Well we do follow the Canadian in so far as both Australian and Canadian English are Bristish English. However, collective nouns, I do believe, are inheritently singular are they not? Taking the example above, I would edit it to read: The committee has discussed all aspects of the case and have not yet reached agreement

ie one committee, many members of committee.

[zero-sleep.livejournal.com]

Hal's example is correct for BritEng, and thus AustEng as well. It's just that the two occurances of 'have' are confusing. Think of it this way (keeping in mind that 'are', as 'have', is plural):

"The committee are discussing all aspects of the case and have not yet reached an agreement."

Thus "The committee have" is correct for Australians, while "The commitee has" would be correct for NA.