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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > What ´s the correct verb form?
What ´s the correct verb form?
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lurdesilva
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What ´s the correct verb form?
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Hi everyone! Please, help me with this sentence because I ´d like to be sure about the correct answer. At the moment Sarah ´s family is sitting / are sitting in the living room. Can we use both verb forms (I know that ´family � can be used before a singular or plural verb)? Thanks in advance? |
11 Mar 2013
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yanogator
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Yes, both are correct. It depends on how you are considering them. If they are a group to you, then it ´s "is". If you think of them as individuals, then "are" is the choice. I would usually use "is". Bruce |
11 Mar 2013
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lurdesilva
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Thanks a lot, dear Bruce! That ´s what I usually do. I was just making sure I was right. |
11 Mar 2013
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dutchboydvh
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In my mind, family is a collective noun; such as herd, swarm or class. So i would use ´Is �. |
11 Mar 2013
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lewisronaldc
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You and Bruce are correct. Both uses are grammatically
correct depending on context, which with are can be ambiguous
. In additon, I have never had a conversation with any native speaker where they used are, and seldom, if ever seen are used in writing with family. I am teaching my esl writing and speaking classes to use "family members" [with are] so their other teachers cannot say they are wrong, which has also happened. Ron |
11 Mar 2013
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