[Ads-l] "United States" as Singular

[Shapiro, Fred]

There has been much discussion for over a century of when the term "United States" became singular rather than plural.  I can't speak knowledgably about when overall usage shifted, but I can perhaps contribute what may be the earliest known example of singularization:

1781 Alexander Spotswood Letter to Virginia Delegates 19 Aug. (Founders Online)

By the inclosed certificate you will observe, that the united states is indebted to Mr. Edward Simpson.

Fred Shapiro








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