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EngBB Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Confusing Collective Noun

The verb follows the word couple should be singular or plural?

The couple is dressed in white.

or

The couple are dressed in white.

Are there any other similar collective nouns that have the same usage?
  

Top answer

as far as i Know,When you use the word to refer to two people as in a married couple, the word couple may take either a singular or a plural verb, which depends on whether you refer to them individually or collectively: The couple were married last week. Only one couple is the winner. Similar thing is with the committee,boars, class, commission, crew, jury, staff ,the public, etc.

— Soraya90

  • as far as i Know,When you use the word to refer to two people as in a married couple, the word couple may take either a singular or a plural verb, which depends on whether you refer to them individually or collectively: The couple were married last week.
  • Only one couple is the winner.
  • Similar thing is with the committee,boars, class, commission, crew, jury, staff ,the public, etc.
  • according to Greenbaum, Leech, and Quir's grammar
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2 Answers
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as far as i Know,When you use the word to refer to two people as in a married couple, the word couple may take either a singular or a plural verb, which depends on whether you refer to them individually or collectively: The couple were married last week. Only one couple is the winner.

Similar thing is with the committee,boars, class, commission, crew, jury, staff ,th
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Hi,

If there was more than one couple (say getting married), you'd say "The couple is dressed in white".

But if there were two or more couples getting married at the same ceremony, then "...couples were dressed in white."
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