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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
Is or Are
I'm confused. Should I use "is" or "are" in sentences like
- Microsoft is/are offering new software
- Backstreet Boys is/are an American boy band
- The police is/are coming to pick him up
It feels like I've seen both alternatives a lot, but I suppose just one can be correct.
All the best,
Anders in Sweden
- Microsoft is/are offering new software
- Backstreet Boys is/are an American boy band
- The police is/are coming to pick him up
It feels like I've seen both alternatives a lot, but I suppose just one can be correct.
All the best,
Anders in Sweden
Top answer
S. English) if the name is plural (like Back Street Boys or New England Patriots) we tend to use the plural, and if the name is singular (like No Doubt or the Miami Heat) we tend to use the singular. You can still use the plural if you want to talk about members, like The Heat are a very talented group of players , instead of the team as a unit, as in The Heat is in first place in the division.
- S.
- English) if the name is plural (like Back Street Boys or New England Patriots) we tend to use the plural, and if the name is singular (like No Doubt or the Miami Heat) we tend to use the singular.
- You can still use the plural if you want to talk about members, like The Heat are a very talented group of players , instead of the team as a unit, as in The Heat is in first place in the division.
- Police takes plural.
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5 Answers
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Hi Anders,
In the U.S., companies and governments more often use the singular form of the verb, so "Microsoft is."
Band names and sports teams names can be singular or plural, but (again, in U.S. English) if the name is plural (like Back Street Boys or New England Patriots) we tend to use the plural, and if the name is singular (like No Doubt or the Miami Heat) we tend to use th
In the U.S., companies and governments more often use the singular form of the verb, so "Microsoft is."
Band names and sports teams names can be singular or plural, but (again, in U.S. English) if the name is plural (like Back Street Boys or New England Patriots) we tend to use the plural, and if the name is singular (like No Doubt or the Miami Heat) we tend to use th
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There is a degree of flexibility with this. If you choose are, do not use it when you later refer to them.
Please note, however, police is always plural - 'The police ARE coming to pick him up
Please note, however, police is always plural - 'The police ARE coming to pick him up
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If you choose are, do not use it when you later refer to them.
Can you explain what you mean here?
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Apologies, I was in a hurry!
What I should have typed:
"If you decide to use 'are', then do not use the word 'it' when you refer to it (!) later on. For instance, if you were to write that 'Microsoft ARE a big company and IT has made a lot of money' would be incorrect. Replace 'it' with 'they' (have) and you'll be fine. If you decide to use 'is', then usage of 'it' in the examp
What I should have typed:
"If you decide to use 'are', then do not use the word 'it' when you refer to it (!) later on. For instance, if you were to write that 'Microsoft ARE a big company and IT has made a lot of money' would be incorrect. Replace 'it' with 'they' (have) and you'll be fine. If you decide to use 'is', then usage of 'it' in the examp
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Yes, the use of "is" and "are" is very flexible in the mentioned case. It depends on whether you are treating them as a group(singular) or as members of a group(plural).
For example, we say:
The team stands united.
BUT
The team are going their separate ways home.
For example, we say:
The team stands united.
BUT
The team are going their separate ways home.
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