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Joe2012 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Has or Have verb grammar help
Sentence: "Public has/have matured now" or "The public has/have matured now"
My question/Doubt: What would be the right verb to use with the word "public", Has or have ? Does the usage of verb change if "the" were to be put before the word "public". Please answer both these questions.
Thanks
My question/Doubt: What would be the right verb to use with the word "public", Has or have ? Does the usage of verb change if "the" were to be put before the word "public". Please answer both these questions.
Thanks
Top answer
Hi, - public is a group noun, and therefore, it can be followed by either a singular or plural verb. Use a plural form if you're thinking of people in this group as collective individuals. Use a singular form if you want to refer to them as an impersonal group and are not necessarily thinking of the individuals.
- Hi, - public is a group noun, and therefore, it can be followed by either a singular or plural verb.
- Use a plural form if you're thinking of people in this group as collective individuals.
- Use a singular form if you want to refer to them as an impersonal group and are not necessarily thinking of the individuals.
- g.
- the, their) before public.
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2 Answers
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Hi,
- public is a group noun, and therefore, it can be followed by either a singular or plural verb. Use a plural form if you're thinking of people in this group as collective individuals. Use a singular form if you want to refer to them as an impersonal group and are not necessarily thinking of the individuals.
- I would always use a determiner (e.g. the, their) before public.
- public is a group noun, and therefore, it can be followed by either a singular or plural verb. Use a plural form if you're thinking of people in this group as collective individuals. Use a singular form if you want to refer to them as an impersonal group and are not necessarily thinking of the individuals.
- I would always use a determiner (e.g. the, their) before public.
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