Has or Have with name?

Question

Which is correct?

1) Has their board voted yet? 2) Have their board voted yet?

Or does it depend whether we are using American English (Has their board . . .) or British English (Have their board . . .)?

Thanks.

possible duplicate of Are collective nouns always plural, or are certain ones singular? Related: Over half our board and staff are/is* people of color* — FumbleFingers, Mar 16 '15 at 02:57
Yes, it is partly a BrE vs. AmE thing, though some on either side of the pond might deny it. — Brian Hitchcock, Mar 16 '15 at 08:22

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 16 '15 at 02:56

2

It can be either. If the writer intends to consider the board members individually, have is correct. If instead the writer considers the board members one unified group, has is correct.

answered Mar 16 '15 at 02:56

Fred Bailey

524

So I guess since in the context of voting, the board will be voting individually, "have" is the better choice. You agree? Thanks. – ivy Mar 16 '15 at 03:30

Has or Have with name?

1 Answers1