COLLECTIVE NOUNS: SINGULAR OR PLURAL?
We can use singular or plural verbs with many collective nouns. Singular and plural forms are often mixed as are the pronouns that refer back to the nouns in the previous sentence. family / team / committee / firm Collective nouns refer to groups of people usually. Our choice of singular or plural verb form often depends on whether we are thinking of the group as an impersonal unit (in which case we use thesingular verb - and relative pronoun which) or as a collection of individuals (in which case we use the plural verb form - and relative pronoun who) . Compare the following: My family, who have lived on this island all their lives, are determined to remain here. The team who are playing this weekend includes neither of the new signings. The team which lies third from the bottom of the league will also be relegated this year. The human resources committee is going to meet on Thursday. They will endorse all promotions from grade C to grade B for the coming year. My firm, which ...