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Fede Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Singular or plural verbs

Should we use have or has in this sentence?

The conductor and the orchestra has/have
  

Top answer

Do you think of them as a single unit? If so, you can make an argument for the singular. If you think of them separately, then use the plural.

— BarbaraPA

  • Do you think of them as a single unit?
  • If so, you can make an argument for the singular.
  • If you think of them separately, then use the plural.
  • I believe that BrE would use the plural for a collective noun like "orchestra" anyway, with or without the conductor.
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4 Answers
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Do you think of them as a single unit? If so, you can make an argument for the singular. If you think of them separately, then use the plural.

I believe that BrE would use the plural for a collective noun like "orchestra" anyway, with or without the conductor.
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BarbaraPAI believe that BrE would use the plural for a collective noun like "orchestra" anyway, with or without the conductor.
We often do but, for some of us, it depends on the context. There is no absolute rule about this.
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fivejedjon We often do but, for some of us, it depends on the context. There is no absolute rule about this.
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