CHECK PLEASE

Posted by Bob on October 11, 2000

In Reply to: CHECK PLEASE posted by JOY ASPIN VERMAAK on October 11, 2000

: WHICH IS CORRECT PLEASE?

: THE FAMILY HAVE DEVOTIONS

: THE FAMILY HAS DEVOTIONS

It depends on where you are. No, really.
In the U.S., we treat collective nouns (nouns that represent a bunch of people) as a singular. In the U. K., collectives are plural. Words like "the government" are treated very differently, depending on which side of the Atlantic you are on.

• Collective nouns ESC 10/11/00