British english more correct than American?

Question

Here are a few english sentences as the British speak them followed by the American version:
B: Tell him I say hello.
A: Tell him I said hello.
B: Manchester United are in picking up the pace.
A: Manchester United is picking up the pace.
B: Sometimes the top brass mismanage the detail.
A: Sometimes the top brass mismanages the details.

Which are correct and why?

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Here are a few english sentences as the British speak them followed by the American version: B: Tell him I ... Sometimes the top brass mismanage the detail. A: Sometimes the top brass mismanages the details. Which are correct and why?[/nq]
Depends where you are.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Here are a few english sentences as the British speak them followed by the American version: B: Tell him I say hello. A: Tell him I said hello.[/nq]
Never heard B in BrE. I can imagine some unusual situations where it might be appropriate but A is what is commonly used.
[nq:1]B: Manchester United are in picking up the pace. A: Manchester United is picking up the pace.[/nq]
B is just grammatically wrong. Unless the 'in' is a typo. It's well-documented that there is a difference between BrE and AmE when it comes to using singular or plural after a corporate term like "Man U" or "the government" or "Microsoft"
[nq:1]B: Sometimes the top brass mismanage the detail. A: Sometimes the top brass mismanages the details.[/nq]
See previous answer
[nq:1]Which are correct and why?[/nq]
There are different standards on either side of the pond. There aren't huge differences but usages that are correct in one place may be incorrect in the other.

John Dean
Oxford

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Here are a few english sentences as the British speak ... him I say hello. A: Tell him I said hello.[/nq]
[nq:1]Never heard B in BrE. I can imagine some unusual situations where it might be appropriate but A is what is commonly used.[/nq]
More commonly, certainly, but I'm sure I have heard B in BrE. I think most people would put it differently this side of the Pond, though: "Say hello to him from me".
With best wishes,
Peter.

Peter Young, (BrE), Consultant Anaesthetist, 1975-2004. (US equivalent: Attending Anesthesiologist)
Cheltenham and Gloucester, UK.
Now happily retired.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Here are a few english sentences as the British speak them followed by the American version:[/nq]
Sez who?
I can't speak for the "Am version"; but the "Brit version" suggests you've never ever heard a Brit speak.

Andrew
http://www.wordskit.com/
http://www.flayme.com/
"If A is success in life, then A = x + y + z.
Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut." ~ Albert Einstein

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1][/nq]
[nq:2]You can see both singular and plural MU in British ... entity on their own website: "Manchester United is aware ."[/nq]
[nq:1]The plural is only used for the corporation in those examples: if indeed it was done deliberately (hard to judge from the single instance), perhaps the PLC was thought to deserve a more formal (less journalistic?) register than the club.[/nq]
When you think of it, "Manchester United" cannot be aware of anything. It is not a sentient being. However, the multiplicity of members, players or directors of Manchester United ARE sentient beings (so it is rumoured), so a plural verb would seem to be more correct.
Ian

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2] The plural is only used for the corporation in ... deserve a more formal (less journalistic?) register than the club.[/nq]
[nq:1]When you think of it, "Manchester United" cannot be aware of anything. It is not a sentient being. However, the ... of Manchester United ARE sentient beings (so it is rumoured), so a plural verb would seem to be more correct.[/nq]
Except, a corporation is a (singular) "legal person", so certainly in legal contexts it can and should be treated as singular.

In (e.g.) in a fraud case against a corporation, it is necessary to impute a state of mind ("intent") to the corporation. (This is of course done by examining the actions and states of mind of natural persons the corporation's directors and officers).

Similarly, in various non-legal contexts it is reasonable to speak of a corporation as having goals, plans, attitudes, and other attributes of sentience.
IANAL

Usenet · Answer

B is common in America. So is A, maybe moreso.
[nq:2]Never heard B in BrE. I can imagine some unusual situations where it might be appropriate but A is what is commonly used.[/nq]
[nq:1]More commonly, certainly, but I'm sure I have heard B in BrE. I think most people would put it differently this side of the Pond, though: "Say hello to him from me". With best wishes, Peter.[/nq]
Posters should say where they live, and for which
area they are asking questions. I have lived in
Western Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis 10 years
Chicago 6 years
Brooklyn, NY 12 years
Baltimore 26 years

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2] The plural is only used for the corporation in ... deserve a more formal (less journalistic?) register than the club.[/nq]
[nq:1]When you think of it, "Manchester United" cannot be aware of anything. It is not a sentient being. However, the ... of Manchester United ARE sentient beings (so it is rumoured), so a plural verb would seem to be more correct.[/nq]
1. The club is aware
2. The company is aware
3. We are aware (plural)
4. Manchester United is aware

All of these are acceptable because they all mean the same thing. The referent is the same. If you received a letter from Manchester United, and one of the above phrases was included, it would be perfectly acceptable.
Numbers 1, 2 and 4 are single entities and when a commentator says something like: "Manchester United are going to score first.", he is actually referring to the team on the pitch who are a group of players (and therefore, plural). He is not referring to Manchester United, the company. As always, context is all.
H.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]1. The club is aware 2. The company is aware 3. We are aware (plural) 4. Manchester United is aware ... group of players (and therefore, plural). He is not referring to Manchester United, the company. As always, context is all.[/nq]
But "a group of players" is singular.
Bill
Reverse parts of the user name and ISP name for my e-address

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]1. The club is aware 2. The company is aware ... to Manchester United, the company. As always, context is all.[/nq]
[nq:1]But "a group of players" is singular.[/nq]
And "players" is plural. I didn't say that the literal referent is "a group of players". It could be any one of the following, - and more.
This group of players
This team.
That group of players.
That team.
Those players.
These players.
Employees of..
It
They
All of the above can refer to Manchester United. So "Manchester United ARE going to..." vs "Manchester United IS going to..", - is purely a matter for the speaker and which one of the above he means by "Manchester United".
So it's down to pronouns to give the clue. That is why the last two examples above can substitute (excuse the pun) "Manchester United". However they would use "is" and "are" (going to score) respectively.
Strangely, as a BrE speaker, I would prefer the following:-
1. "Manchester United is now performing better in the stockmarket."
AND..
2. "Manchester United are now performing better in the match."

You see, due to context, I believe that statement 1 is talking about the PLC in it's entirety and statement 2 is talking about players in a football match. They simply do not refer to the same entity.
H.

British english more correct than American?

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