The mob

Question

Hi there,Please can you tell me which is correct. This is something I constantly trip up on.The mob is angry.The mob are angry.Thanks.

Philip · Accepted Answer

Even though a mob is made up of many people (and often act in an unorganized fashion), the verb should be in the singular form.

Anonymous · Answer

That's what I always forget. Thanks.

But what about below? We are talking about a singular group but in a different way.

The Beatles is a pop group from the 60's

The Beatles are four men from Liverpool.

Is this correct?

Thanks,

Adam

Philip · Answer

The Beattles are from Liverpool.

The group is from Liverpool.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi there,

Thanks for this. Still a little uncertain.

The mob is angry.
Oasis are a rock band.

What is the difference that makes one 'is', and the other 'are'?

Thanks.

Ambrose · Answer

Furthermore, I found these sentences from national newspapers, so I assume they are correct. One journalist says the England team 'are', whilst another says the England team 'is'. I don't understand the rules that govern this.

"Germany skipper Ballack amazed the England team are so rubbish"

"Anyway, England are out and the Big Four’s big stars – Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard et al – were flops. Moreover, the England team is being forced to rely on players from lower down the Premier League in order to fill a team."

Thanks

Ambrose · Answer

Can anyone explain this one please?

Thanks.

Tanit · Answer

Hi Ambrose,

AmbroseOne journalist says the England team 'are', whilst another says the England team 'is'. I don't understand the rules that govern this.

In British English, team can be followed either by a singular verb (if you consider the team as a unit) or by a plural one (if you consider the team as a bunch of people). If I am not mistaken, in American English it always takes the singular verb.

A couple of reference materials for you, from the BBC Learning English website:

family / team / committee / firm

Collective nouns refer to groups of people usually. Our choice of singular or plural verb form often depends on whether we are thinking of the group as an impersonal unit (in which case we use the singular verb - and relative pronoun which) or as a collection of individuals (in which case we use the plural verb form - and relative pronoun who). Compare the following:

My family, who have lived on this island all their lives, are determined to remain here.

The team who are playing this weekend includes neither of the new signings. The team which lies third from the bottom of the league will also be relegated this year.

The human resources committee is going to meet on Thursday. They will endorse all promotions from grade C to grade B for the coming year.

My firm, which was established in 1932, has been manufacturing motor mowers since the 1950s. They look after me very well and have an excellent pension scheme.

(SOURCE)

Another noun that works like this is team. “The team has won the trophy.” It means we’re looking at the team as one unified thing – as one thing. However, if the team have many difficulties, we could be talking about the individuals within the team. So this is a group of nouns that can be singular or plural depending on what you want to say about them.

(SOURCE)

collective nouns

Nouns which refer to a group of people or things are often called collective nouns.

When you use a collective noun, it may be followed by either a singular or plural verb, depending on whether you are thinking of the group as a unit, in which case it will be singular, or as a number of individuals, in which case it will be plural:
My family consists of me, my two brothers and my mum.
Before the recession, my brother's family were quite well off, but now they are hard up.
The government has said it will give more money to hospitals and schools.
The government are determined not to let their popularity with the voters slip.
The class was / were good academically, but the football team was /were well beaten.
The BBC is / are planning to introduce 35 minute news broadcasts in the spring.
The British Council have / has offices in over a hundred countries worldwide.

(SOURCE)

Ambrose · Answer

That is a very comprehensive answer, thank you. It finally clicks into place! <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

The mob

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