Ah, the difference between British English and American English.
<lang=en-uk>ManU are crushing Arsenal.</lang> <lang=en-us>ManU is crushing Arsenal.</lang>
UK English insists on plural verbs for collective nouns (family, team, list, etc.), while US English generally uses singular verbs. (An exception is "couple" referring to a romantic pair -- "The couple are going to the store" would be acceptable on both sides of the Atlantic, although many Americans would say "is" even here.)
John Freed
---original message follows--- You must send me some of the stuff you're smoking! "The list are now up to date" doesn't exist in english, you must choose "The lists are now up to date" for a plural "The list is now up to date" for a singular
On Wed, Sep 10, 2003 at 01:19:13PM -0400, John Freed wrote:
Ah, the difference between British English and American English.
<lang=en-uk>ManU are crushing Arsenal.</lang> <lang=en-us>ManU is crushing Arsenal.</lang>
UK English insists on plural verbs for collective nouns (family, team, list, etc.), while US English generally uses singular verbs. (An exception is "couple" referring to a romantic pair -- "The couple are going to the store" would be acceptable on both sides of the Atlantic, although many Americans would say "is" even here.)
I think it depends on whether you are referring to the collective noun itself or the individuals that make up the collection (and possibly whether it is a mass noun).
I'm English and definitely want to say: - the list is up to date - the lists are correct - in the list below are ... - England are batting - Arsenal are winning
David
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David Laight -
John Freed