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Council Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Use of IS vs ARE

I've learned from school the use of IS vs ARE (singular vs plural). However recently I've been hearing and seeing usage in a different way.

In Australian newscasts on TV and even on print media or the internet, I would come across statements such as ...

"McDonald's are hiring new crew members..." or
"so-and-so company are in the process of ...."

I'm seeing more of this use of ARE when referring to proper nouns - something that was not taught in the past.

Is this a country (or region) specific 'rule' perhaps?
  

Top answer

Is this a country (or region) specific 'rule' perhaps? Both singular and plural are accepted, and yes, it is regional. I may have them reversed, but I believe it is BrE which prefers the plural while AmE prefers the singular.

— Mister Micawber

  • Is this a country (or region) specific 'rule' perhaps?
  • Both singular and plural are accepted, and yes, it is regional.
  • I may have them reversed, but I believe it is BrE which prefers the plural while AmE prefers the singular.
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2 Answers
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councilI'm seeing more of this use of ARE when referring to proper nouns - something that was not taught in the past.Is this a country (or region) specific 'rule' perhaps?
Both singular and plural are accepted, and yes, it is regional. I may have them reversed, but I believe it is BrE which prefers the plural while AmE prefers the singular.
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councilI'm seeing more of this use of ARE when referring to proper nouns
Only when the proper noun is the name of a company, team etc.
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