I saw this phrase here
The couple are survived by three children: Femke, Marcus, and Rutger.
Is this the correct form?
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What does this have to do with irregular plurals? Do you think the answer would be different if the verb had a regular plural? – Barmar Jan 26 '24 at 18:54
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3Does this answer your question? Does "staff" take a plural verb? or Are collective nouns {and in particular companies} always given a plural verb form, or are certain ones treated as singular?? – Edwin Ashworth Jan 26 '24 at 19:40
1 Answers
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The use of collective nouns differs between US and UK English. In the US, the public is displeased because the government is unresponsive. In the UK, the public are displeased because the government are unresponsive.
However, some think it's even fuzzier that this, and I agree. "The couple is..." doesn't seem wrong, but I'd be likely to say "The couple are..."
Maverick
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1American English does allow this sort of agreement, but it's more restricted than in British English. – alphabet Jan 26 '24 at 17:54
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2I'd say 'The couple was at the time over ten miles apart' is unacceptable in either the US or the UK. – Edwin Ashworth Jan 26 '24 at 19:44