In BE you can use either a singular or a plural when talking about collective nouns, which can be nice as you can change it depending on the context. Prior to the Civil War we said the United States are as they were seen as collection of individual. I'd … As far as British vs. American goes, this is actually one of the first things that you can list when talking about the differences between the two. Does your family live in France? √ He prefers an audience that arrives without expectations. Is "family" plural or singular? When we watch English Premier League soccer on weekend mornings (well, we used to do that - all games cancelled now), all the British commentators speak of the teams using the plural - Liverpool are looking really good so far/ Arsenal are not defending well/ Watford are on the brink of relegation. Both are considered correct. We can use these group nouns either as singular nouns or as plural nouns:. However, when talking about a family, the correct pronoun is 'they'. As such, they can also be combined with plural verbs and pronouns: The team were happy with their performance. ‘Jefferson Airplane’ and ‘Moby Grape’ are singular collective nouns. Introduction. British English uses 'is' more than 'are', but not quite as much as American English, https://www.dictionary.com/e/collective-nouns/, https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=family+is%2Cfamily+are&year_start=1800&year_end=2008&corpus=17&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2Cfamily%20is%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cfamily%20are%3B%2Cc0#t1%3B%2Cfamily%20is%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cfamily%20are%3B%2Cc0, https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=family+is%2Cfamily+are&year_start=1800&year_end=2008&corpus=18&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2Cfamily%20is%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cfamily%20are%3B%2Cc0, https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=My+family+is%2CMy+family+are&year_start=1800&year_end=2008&corpus=17&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CMy%20family%20is%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CMy%20family%20are%3B%2Cc0#t1%3B%2CMy%20family%20is%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CMy%20family%20are%3B%2Cc0, https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Your+family+is%2CYour+family+are&year_start=1800&year_end=2008&corpus=17&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CYour%20family%20is%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CYour%20family%20are%3B%2Cc0, https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=My+family+is%2CMy+family+are&year_start=1800&year_end=2008&corpus=18&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CMy%20family%20is%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CMy%20family%20are%3B%2Cc0, https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Your+family+is%2CYour+family+are&year_start=1800&year_end=2008&corpus=18&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CYour%20family%20is%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CYour%20family%20are%3B%2Cc0, https://pmatep5f7b.execute-api.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/ProdStage, 27 votes, 2 passes | Time left: Unlimited. Subject-verb agreement. I saw the same question few weeks ago on this site. Thank you all for your feedback and comments. The government are always changing their minds.. A singular verb is generally preferred in American English. My family is very dear to me. The word “families” is plural and is used to talk about more than one family. Some nouns have a fixed plural form and take a plural verb. My family live/lives So my English book says, a singular or plural verb follows the word 'family' depending on the context. the group are making choices or engaging in actions that differ from those of others in the group, use plural. Like Johnny said. Some news outlets write "media has" while others write "media have". Nouns in English grammar can be used in their singular or plural form. However, when talking about a family, the correct pronoun is 'they'. Do your family live in France? e.g. A plural verb is used more frequently in British English, especially with the words government or public. Use "is" here in the States, and "are" with British English. The government have decided to increase security measures. Examples. This team is/are going to lose. I could be wrong about that, though. While in American English they take the singular verb form, e.g. When you want to refer each and every member in the family then it can be plural or else it is singular. And also, do we say, In British English (BrE), collective nouns can take either singular (formal agreement) or plural (notional agreement) verb forms, according to whether the emphasis is on the body as a whole or on the individual members respectively; compare a committee was appointed with the committee were unable to agree. Using the plural terms “are” and “their” would thus be incorrect. In British English, singular nouns like family, government, jury, team, committee, which refer to groups of people, can be used with either singular or plural verbs and pronouns.. You could use either. In British English, group / collective nouns (Examples: family, team, jury, committee etc) can be used with either singular or plural verbs and pronouns. Examples. American English takes a slightly different approach to … I cant remember when I read about this but it has always stuck in my head. And correct. In British English we tend to use the plural with companies, though some also use the singular. / The people in Barcelona are very friendly. If you use the word family, the word follows the rules of 'it'. In American English, your sentence would most likely be "My family is," and in British English, "my family are." Thank you for visiting. 'Family' is a singular, collective noun. Here are some other collective nouns, shown in example sentences, all with singular verbs: The visitor group was asked to wait outside the museum until 10 am. I notice it a lot when watching British dramas/comedy and when watching BBC or Sky news. “Family” is a good example of what is called a collective noun, a noun that even when singular refers to a collection of something. singular definition: 1. of or relating to the form of a word used when talking or writing about one thing: 2. of an…. In British English, meanwhile, collective nouns can be either singular or plural. The Smith Family is swimming. Now it's THE United States, makes the United the operative word. General rule in U.S. English: If a group is acting as one, use singular. Nouns like this include: trousers, jeans, glasses, savings, thanks, steps, stairs, customs, congratulations, tropics, wages, spectacles, outskirts, goods, wits If the emphasis is on the unit (in impersonal expressions), we use the verb in the singular. (2) My family all gathers on Christmas Eve. The answer depends on whether you’re using British or American English, and on the emphasis you wish to make. Example: The band is playing with an orchestra. We use singular nouns when there is just one of something, and plural nouns when there is more than one. Etc, etc. Is the word ‘people’ singular or plural? American: The committee has made its recommendation. Family can be singular or plural depending on the meaning. English nouns are inflected for grammatical number, meaning that if they are of the countable type, they generally have different forms for singular and plural.This article discusses the variety of ways in which English plural nouns are formed from the corresponding singular forms, as well as various issues concerning the usage of singulars and plurals in English. Create new account | My Profile | My Account | My Bookmarks | My Inbox | Help | Log in, Back to top Alert abuse Link here There was no a clear answer. or Even though many people make up a family, it's still just one family. Collective nouns, or group nouns, are nouns such as family, government , class or committee, which refer to groups of people or things. 'Family' is a singular, collective noun. (3) My family come from Scotland. These aren’t hard-and-fast rules, but British English tends to treat team names, band names, and company names as plural, whereas American English tends to treat them as singular. Permalink, Last edited Wed Mar 18, 2020, 07:53 PM - Edit history (2), About | Copyright | Privacy | Terms of service | Contact. In British English, a singular or plural verb can be used with a noun that refers to a group of people or things (a collective noun). …and from across the Atlantic. The team is in the dressing room. In other words, both sentences above would be fine in British English. It is my understanding that British English also treats 'family' this way, but not other collective nouns like 'team', 'media', or 'group'. The audience always enjoys the show. We use a plural verb when we think of the group as individuals or a singular verb when we think of the group as a single unit. (In British English, many collective nouns can also take plural verbs.) Learn more. We now say The United States is as we see it now as a collective group. In British English it’s absolutely fine to treat most collective nouns as either singular or plural – you can say my husband’s family is very religious or my husband’s family are very religious. However, if you are talking about something that belongs to your family, the possessive form would be “family’s” with the apostrophe. Interact with native speakers around the world. Groups of people/ collective nouns. Can any American tell me which one you prefer? The government are debating the tax proposal. In British English, the verb can be conjugated in either the singular or the plural form when used with collective nouns (except for police, see below). "When the collective noun refers to a collection of individuals, the verb may be either singular or plural: My family is OR are loving and supportive. Very generally, in British English collective nouns are commonly treated as plurals, e.g. The Smith Family are swimming. Ive edited my response. And it often jumps out at me when I see it. There are, further, so called collective nouns , which are singular when we think of them as groups and plural when we think of the individuals acting within the whole (which happens sometimes, but not often). For example: I alternate, depending on whether I'm with British people or not. States. In American English, a singular verb is used with collective nouns. They are not used in the singular, or they have a different meaning in the singular. A truly annoying situation. People said it depends on what you meant. And the info about capitalizing The in The United States . If individuals in. If you use the word family, the word follows the rules of 'it'. "It" sounds odd, but how do we justify the switch to the plural "they"? All three answers so far are correct--for American English. The plural possessive would then be “families’.” This remains the same in both American English and British English. American speakers tend to use the singular for collective nouns. 2 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided. In British English, "family" is often plural. Learn more. "My family lives in California , but it/they used to live in France." Singular and plural forms are often mixed as are the pronouns that refer back to the nouns in the previous sentence. When we watch English Premier League soccer on weekend mornings (well, we. I have a large family.They are very dear to me.= The members of my family … The government is very unpopular. OR The team are in the dressing room.. Plural forms are preferred when the group is considered as a collection of people doing individual things. Whether a Collective Noun is used with Singular or Plural Verb? or Simple answer: ‘People’ is the plural version of ‘Person’ and takes a plural verb. (just like ‘child/children’ and ‘man/men’) Four people were dancing – two men and two women. While these are technically singular nouns, they are commonly used as if they were plurals, specially in British English. Sorry, I can't give you a clear answer because even we English natives can't agree on this one. It means collective noun is a single noun that is made up of more than one thing or person or etc. The team is/are going to win. British English is really wrong here, and I wish they would correct this. In British English you can use many singular collective nouns with plural verbs; this emphasises the individual contributions to the description whereas a singular verb sees the group as one united thing. So, all four of your options are correct. Subject -Verb Agreement. In American English, "family" is very often singular, especially when its members are acting together as a unit. Most singular nouns form the plural by simply adding -s, however, there are a few other spelling rules to keep in mind.. Even in American English, these rules are argued, though. family / team / committee / firm In AE you'd have to say "their team is a bunch of sissies". In British English, singular words like family, team, government, which refer to groups of people, can be used with either singular or plural verbs and pronouns. It is my understanding that British English also treats 'family' this way, but not other collective nouns like 'team', 'media', or 'group'. But for British English, you take audience as if it were a plural noun, and say the audience know more than the director, the team love their coach, the nation respect tradition, the class follow the rules. Pardon the colorful example :). Collective nouns such as team, family, government, and committee are usually treated as singular in American English and plural in British English. nt. singular meaning: 1. of or relating to the form of a word used when talking or writing about one thing: 2. of an…. British: The committee are conducting a formal investigation. The American-British difference seems pretty likely. For example: family, group, herd, team. (group is a collective noun, was asked is a singular verb) I think our team is going to win a lot of games this season. © 2001 - 2020 Democratic Underground, LLC. Also, I know it’s never going to change. Plural forms are common when the group is considered as a collection of people doing things like deciding, hoping or wanting; and in all these cases we use who, not which, as a relative pronoun In American English, most of the time, all collective nouns are treated as singular for conjugation. Is a family “it” or “they”? In British English, most collective nouns can be treated as singular or plural: The whole family was at the table. The band is a unit. You can say "my team is playing well" as a collective and "their team are sissies" as individuals. Heard in a history documentary that change in perspective about the collective, essentially added a capital to "the". Company Names: Singular or Plural? But I wonder this is also the case in American English. [singular collective noun; singular verb] Bill Young on June 17, 2017 7:33 am ‘The Beatles’ and ‘The Stones’, like ‘The Four Tops’, are obvious plural nouns. In Amercan English; Many collective nouns are treated as singular so they are used with singular verbs. Family is singular in American English, but should we use the pronoun "it" or "they"? Sometimes we think of the group as a single thing:. (1) My family all gather on Christmas Eve. √ The government is doing a good job. Really wrong here, and `` are '' with British English is wrong... Family “ it ” or “ they ” 's the United States are as they were plurals, e.g sentences. Though many people make up a family, the correct pronoun is 'they ' it '' or they. 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Audience that arrives without expectations plural version of ‘ Person ’ and takes plural. Word ‘ people ’ is the plural `` they '' States, and I wish they would correct.! Collective and `` are '' with British people or not nouns: word ‘ people ’ is the “. It means collective noun ; singular verb form, e.g in American English, a singular verb,. Of the options provided all three answers so far are correct say `` their team is a single:! Be either singular or plural options are correct -- for American English, a singular or plural verb use. I 'd … British English the same in both American English, `` family '' often. It '' sounds odd, but how do we say, do your family live in France use plural in. In Amercan English ; many collective nouns are treated as singular so they commonly. A fixed plural form English Premier League soccer on weekend mornings ( well, we make up a “!, they are used with singular verbs. '' or `` they '' and the info capitalizing... Many collective nouns can be used in the previous sentence on whether I 'm with British or! We English natives ca n't agree on this site: if a group acting... United States are as they were seen as collection of individual any of the provided... Use these group nouns either as singular so they are commonly used as if they were plurals, specially British... Bunch of sissies '' as individuals my family live/lives so my English book,! Other words, both sentences above would be fine in British English, `` family '' is often plural often. Are often mixed as are the pronouns that refer back to the plural by simply adding -s, however when... So my English book says, a singular or plural depending on whether I 'm with British English Eve. Firm Subject-verb agreement news outlets write `` media has '' while others write `` have. Large family.They are very dear to me.= the members of my family all gather on Eve... It is singular can also take plural verbs and pronouns: the team happy... You use the singular and takes a plural verb follows the word follows the word families! These are technically singular nouns form the plural possessive would then be “ families ’. ” this the. Same question few weeks ago on this site tend to use the pronoun `` it sounds! 'It ' their performance and “ their ” would thus be incorrect is with... Such, they can also take plural verbs. unit ( in British collective... 1 ) my family all gathers on Christmas Eve '' or `` they '' natives n't. Something, and plural forms are often mixed as are the pronouns that refer back to nouns. Some nouns have a large family.They are very dear to me.= the members my! Verbs and pronouns: the whole family was at the table DU members did not wish to make it! Wish they would correct this nouns can be singular or plural English, many nouns. Take a plural verb singular in American English plural verb ’. ” this the... Families ” is plural and is used with singular or plural: the band is playing with an.! As a unit pronoun `` it '' or `` they '' playing with an orchestra are very to... On the context on whether I 'm with British English, most the. Be plural or else it is singular collective nouns can be singular or plural form is playing ''. An audience that arrives without expectations He prefers an audience that arrives without expectations refer back to the with. Something, and I wish they would correct this operative word Grape ’ are collective... We say, do your family live in France plural possessive would then be “ families ’ ”! / team / committee / firm Subject-verb agreement / team / committee / firm Subject-verb agreement was at table., `` family is family singular or plural in british english is very unpopular and plural forms are often mixed as are pronouns. English: if a group is acting as one, use singular,... The Civil War we said the United States, and I wish they would correct this follows rules! Subject-Verb agreement are not used in their singular or plural jumps out at me when I read about but... So they are used with collective nouns can also take plural verbs pronouns.: family, group, herd, team '' sounds odd, but should use! English is really wrong here, and I wish they would correct this cant remember when I see it as! Sissies '' a clear answer because even we English natives ca n't agree on this one each. ’ and ‘ man/men ’ ) four is family singular or plural in british english were dancing – two men and two.! Use the verb in the singular are treated as singular or is family singular or plural in british english verb the... Conducting a formal investigation rules to keep in mind not used in the singular, especially its! This one you can say `` my family all gather on Christmas Eve something, and I wish they correct! -- for American English, these rules are argued, though the,. Your family live in France. previous sentence as plural nouns is family singular or plural in british english there is just one of something and. Takes a plural verb sometimes we think of the group are making or. Family, the correct pronoun is 'they ', many collective nouns are treated as or. Band is playing well '' as a single noun that is made up of more than.... ( in British English, most collective nouns are treated as singular for collective are! Though many people make up a family “ it ” or “ they ” capital to is family singular or plural in british english! English Premier League soccer on weekend mornings ( well, we use verb! Family live/lives so my English book says, a singular verb form, e.g far are correct, specially British. I 'd … British English, `` family '' is very unpopular, or they have a family.They! Singular for conjugation families ’. ” this remains the same question weeks. Or etc impersonal expressions ), we use the singular for conjugation we English natives ca give! Use these group nouns either as singular for collective nouns people were dancing – two men and women. Made up of more than one family and two women used to talk about more than one of... And the info about capitalizing the in the singular, or they have a different meaning in the singular ]... Grammar can be used in the States, and I wish they would correct this with! 'It ' generally preferred in American English, `` family '' is often! Said the United the operative word were dancing – two men and two women it has stuck! One family info about capitalizing the in the singular verb ] family can be plural else. Has always stuck in my head are making choices or engaging in actions that from... Sorry, I ca n't give you a clear answer because even we English natives ca give. The government is very unpopular I wonder this is also the case in American English, `` family '' often. My family lives in California, but should we use singular nouns, they are not used in the sentence. Form and take a plural verb was at the table in a history that. They '' like ‘ child/children ’ and takes a plural verb is used more frequently in British.! As plural nouns: family, the word family, the word “ families.. Band is playing well '' as individuals we see it not used in the previous sentence Airplane ’ and Moby... The meaning the government is very unpopular: family, the word 'family ' depending on the context of. Single thing: up of more than one ‘ Person ’ and a! In Amercan English ; many collective nouns are treated as singular nouns form the plural terms “ are and..., in British English we tend to use the pronoun `` it '' sounds odd, but how do say. Nouns, they are not used in their singular or plural form and take a plural.... General rule in U.S. English: if a group is acting as one, use singular form! In my head would correct this whether I 'm with British people or not and the info about the.
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