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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Have much staff and 10 staff?

Hi. I have a few questions regarding the use of the word "staff." I believe it is a plural noun. As a plural noun, is it like the word "clothes" in that it can't never be in the singular? Also, I think I heard from someone that the word "staff" can be uncountable.

Also, is it correct to write "much staff" and "10 staff"? Thank you in advance for your help.
  

Top answer

If you are using staff to denote a group of people, then it is what is commonly called a collective noun (like family, band, class, audience). Of course, if you mean a stick of wood, then staff is just a regular noun (whose plural is staffs or staves). For a group of support personnel, staff is the most usual form: My staff is in the ballroom.

— Doctor D

  • If you are using staff to denote a group of people, then it is what is commonly called a collective noun (like family, band, class, audience).
  • Of course, if you mean a stick of wood, then staff is just a regular noun (whose plural is staffs or staves).
  • For a group of support personnel, staff is the most usual form: My staff is in the ballroom.
  • You can say staffs , but only if you are referring to more than one group.
  • The staffs of Senator Big and Senator Little were in the ballroom.
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2 Answers
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If you are using staff to denote a group of people, then it is what is commonly called a collective noun (like family, band, class, audience). Of course, if you mean a stick of wood, then staff is just a regular noun (whose plural is staffs or staves).

For a group of support personnel, staff is the most usual form:
My staff is in the ballroom.
You can say
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In my experience, learners of English commonly say 'staff' in cases where a native speaker would say 'employees'.

Employees is a lot more commonly used.

Clive
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