4 ms·
This might help: https://www.writingclasses.com/toolbox/ask-writer/are-words-like-band-and-jury-singular-or-plural https://www.writingclasses.com/toolbox/ask-wr
by BlindEyeHalo 1y ago
This might help: https://www.writingclasses.com/toolbox/ask-writer/are-words-like-band-and-jury-singular-or-plural https://www.writingclasses.com/toolbox/ask-writer/are-words-...
In short:
When you’re referring to the collective noun as a unit, treat it as singular:
The band lost its spot in the top ten this week.
When you’re referring to the individuals within the group, treat it as plural:
The jury had to sign for their ID badges.
- gbalduzzi 1y agoIn Italian we don't have this distinction, when we use a collective noun we always treat it as singular (unless there are multiple collection, like multiple crews). Thank you for the explanation
- mon_ 1y agoDoesn't your advice contradict the BBC's phrasing? Collectively, the band lost its spot in the top ten. And, collectively, the crew has 35 seconds to prepare the stage for the next performer.
- rsynnott 1y agoI think this is to some extent a British English vs US English thing; it's certainly more common to treat words like crew/company/etc as plural in British English. The linked article is being overly prescriptive, though. Both are basically fine.