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ESL forum >
Ask for help > DOUBT
DOUBT
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rodrigoleao2005
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DOUBT
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Are these sentences correct? Can I use the verb in the singular too? A couple WERE having an argument in a restaurant when.... OR WAS? The manager said that the staff WERE trying to stop the argument at the time. OR WAS ? Thanks in advance. |
30 Sep 2021
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cunliffe
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Thee are lots of google entries for this point. Google: singular or plural agreement for collective nouns, if you want to know more. In the examples you give, I would use plural. A couple were having an argument. The staff were trying.... |
30 Sep 2021
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JavoAdderly
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As a matter of fact, it is a mere user�s choice. If "couple" is considered as "two individual people", then the plural form is accepted. However, if it is used as a "whole unit", the singular is also possible. In the end, it depends on the user�s. Both options are right.
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2 Oct 2021
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GAZA_CHILD
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Hi everybody I think that it is correct to use both (was or were) because you are dealing with collective nouns such as family ,team,crowd,herd,group,staff.... |
8 Oct 2021
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