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JJDouglas Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Subject-verb agreement with collective nouns.
I'm a little bit confused when it comes to the subject-verb agreement with collective nouns.
For instance, I wrote the following in a grammar checker program and had it flagged up as incorrect.
"The team identify themselves as being intent on resurrecting old classics and presenting them with a new twist."
The grammar program said that I shouldn't use the plural verb "identify" with the subject "team", suggesting instead that I should use "identifies." Is that right? From what I understand, I thought that because I was using the plural word "themselves" in the sentence, the plural verb was fine. I'm not sure if I'm right though.
For instance, I wrote the following in a grammar checker program and had it flagged up as incorrect.
"The team identify themselves as being intent on resurrecting old classics and presenting them with a new twist."
The grammar program said that I shouldn't use the plural verb "identify" with the subject "team", suggesting instead that I should use "identifies." Is that right? From what I understand, I thought that because I was using the plural word "themselves" in the sentence, the plural verb was fine. I'm not sure if I'm right though.
Top answer
In British English, 'team' can be singular or plural. The grammar program is based on American English. That's why it said that you should use 'identifies' instead.
- In British English, 'team' can be singular or plural.
- The grammar program is based on American English.
- That's why it said that you should use 'identifies' instead.
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1 Answers
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In British English, 'team' can be singular or plural. The grammar program is based on American English. That's why it said that you should use 'identifies' instead.
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