Ch 32 · Lesson 19English · Chapter 32 · Lesson 19 · Grammar primer
The team is or the team are
British English can say the team are when it means the people in the team. American English usually says the team is. The police are, in both.
The short version
Why the team are is correct in Britain
.
Why?Hide
British English lets a group noun take a plural verb when the speaker is thinking of the members rather than the unit, so the team is top of the league but the team are arguing. American English usually keeps the singular. One noun ignores the debate: police takes a plural verb in both varieties.
The team is or the team are
Some words name a group of people: team, family, government, band, staff.
a group that plays together
the people you are related to
the people who fight crime
American English usually gives them a singular verb. British English can use either. It chooses by meaning:
| The speaker sees | Example | Where |
|---|---|---|
. | ||
. | ||
. | ||
. |
A team cannot argue as one thing: the people in it argue. So British English gives the verb to the people.
American English keeps the singular verb, but often says they in the
next sentence: . .
Going further: Have got or have and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
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One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
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