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]

Okay - have checked with my uncle who is an English Professor and apparently the whole thing is far more complex than I was thinking and I bow to your grammatical superiority. Excellent lesson and I thank you.

[boorman.livejournal.com]

i wouldnt do that quite yet, because i think i got it wrong in my original reply :p

"uh, no, because when the commitee is still discussing it" should have been are ¬¬

i talk to way too many americans...

[girliejones.livejournal.com]

:-)