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<font size="-1"><font face="Comic Sans MS"><big>Hi John, <br>
<br>
I agree with you. My main point was just a comment on the difference
between British and American English usage on certain of these
singular-form/plural-meaning nouns, which strengthens your point that
verb agreement is not a reliable guide. I (I'd say pretty definitely
"most American English speakers" even though that's a dangerous
statement) would *never* use the plural verb with your examples of
singular noun forms below, even though they all refer to multiple
(human) entities within a group. I have never seen the plural used in
US print--newspapers, etc. </big><br>
<br>
</font></font><br>
John
Roberts wrote: <br>
<blockquote cite="mid003101c690aa$f484ecf0$0200a8c0@johnroberts"
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<blockquote cite="mid003101c690aa$f484ecf0$0200a8c0@johnroberts"
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<p>The enemy is/are attacking.<br>
England is/are winning 2-0.<br>
The government has/have made its/their decision.<br>
<br>
With the plural noun form, plural subject agreement is obligatory. But
with <br>
the singular noun form it is optional depending on whether the noun is <br>
referring to multiple entities or not.<br>
<br>
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<br>
<font face="Comic Sans MS">What do you do with groups of animals? In my
usage singular is obligatory for these examples:<br>
<br>
A herd of elephants tramples the grass.<br>
That flock of chickens is being sold next week.<br>
<br>
Kim<br>
<br>
<br>
</font><br>
<br>
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