March 11, 2006, 6:35 p.m. (Message 44633)
In a message dated 03/11/2006 9:15:34 AM Pacific Standard Time, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx writes: > This is (and again I emphasize only the difference in usage, > not the correctness of one vs. the other) very jarring to American ears. We > > would say (and write): "Where IS the RSCDS, where WAS the RSCDS?" Is this > colloquial usage in British English (singular collective noun + plural verb) > > quite common or merely optional? Would it also be considered correct in a > more > formal setting? > What I neglected to add is that in American English (as perhaps elsewhere as well) we even tend to do the converse: to use a singular verb even with a grammatical plural if the plural indicates a collective: The United States IS (not are)... [our local theatrical group] The Conejo Players PRESENTS (not present)... Robb