|
ESL Forum:
Techniques and methods
in Language Teaching
Games, activities
and teaching ideas
Grammar and
Linguistics
Teaching material
Concerning
worksheets
Concerning
powerpoints
Concerning online
exercises
Make suggestions,
report errors
Ask for help
Message board
|
ESL forum >
Ask for help > question
question
|
gilorit
|
question
|
|
What is correct?
The police is questioning or The police are questioning him.
Orit
|
23 Mar 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
douglas
|
|
Sorry, I disagree: The police are... (I suspect both are okay though.)
Edit: Oxford Univ Press says:
TIP: look up collective nouns in the dictionary if you�re not sure whether to treat them as singular or plural. Special cases such as police have �treated as pl.� in brackets before the definitions. |
23 Mar 2010
|
|
|
Kate (kkcat)
|
Shalom Orit,
The police are.....the police have found the criminal, they are now questioning him...
Have a nice day!
Hugs.
|
23 Mar 2010
|
|
|
mena22
|
|
Yes, according to Michael Swan Police is normally used as a plural. His example: -"The police are looking for a fair-haired man in his twenties" (NOT "The police is looking"...).
Have a nice day,
mena |
23 Mar 2010
|
|
|
|
|
sclail
|
|
Definitely "are", NEVER "is"...
Have a good lesson! |
23 Mar 2010
|
|
|
Olindalima ( F )
|
Hi Orit
The police are...
The policeman is ....
However, I would like to get more answers, some collective nouns may be used either with sing. or plural, if someone could show a fair and easy way to clarify... well, I �d say a big THANK YOU
hugs
linda
|
23 Mar 2010
|
|
|
Zora
|
Hi Linda - again! lol .. We keep meeting up today. 
When you are referring to the group as a whole, a single unit , you can use the singular form.
i.e. The Royal family is famous in the UK. // The team is in the playoffs.
When you are referring to the "members" or parts of the group, then you should use the plural form.
i.e. The Royal family are famous for their scandals. // The team were caught fighting at a bar.
Hugs,
The Other Linda
|
23 Mar 2010
|
|
|
