Is "public" plural or singular?

Question

I wonder if the word "public" is plural or singular. Does anybody know?

"Public" is a completely straightforward singular noun. What makes you think otherwise? — JSBձոգչ, May 18 '12 at 17:31
Related: Is “staff” plural? ◊ Is a company always plural, or are small companies singular? ◊ And many others linked from these. — RegDwigнt, May 18 '12 at 19:40
It’s all in the context hwww.writing-skills.com/write-public-is-or-public-are — Pacerier, Dec 14 '17 at 06:33

score 23 · Answer 1 · edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

23

The adjective "public" is neither, since English does not as a rule mark number on adjectives.

The noun "public" is a mass and a collective noun. Unlike "people", it may take either plural or singular concord depending on the dialect and register and preference of the speaker. For example:

The public are getting restless about the austerity measures.

The public is getting restless about the austerity measures.

...have the same meaning and are both acceptable.

edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

Community

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answered May 18 '12 at 17:35

Mark Beadles

22,642

2

You'll need evidence here........... – Pacerier Dec 14 '17 at 06:28

Is "public" plural or singular?

1 Answers1