Why do Irish and British folks use the third person plural where the singular should be used?

Let me give you an example of what I mean.

I’ve been watching the Women’s World Cup on TV and I hear many of the foreign commentators saying things like, “England are a good team.” or “The USA aren’t such a bad team.”

This is grammatically incorrect, because, since only *one* entity (i.e. one team) is the subject of the sentence, the third-person singular (not plural) should be used: “The USA is a good team”.

I hear my folks from Dublin using it the wrong way all the time, and it drives me nuts.

(Answers from Yankees fans not accepted.)

Top 3 Answers

A few days ago

abandoned

Favorite Answer

We do it because its like the way we talk. Like if you americans say “Whats Up, Homies” Or your slang (Which sometimes you dont use on purpose) We do the same we dont do it on purpose, though. It’s like or slang.

A few days ago

Anthony M

The British grammar recognizes a collection of individuals as plural not singular.

“The team are prepared” is correct in British English because you are really saying the 11 individuals are prepared.

A few days ago

Beardo

British English recognises the fact that a group of people are a collection of individuals and therefore a plural noun. It is not incorrect – and if you don’t like it, you should get your own language rather than mangling ours !!

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Why do Irish and British folks use the third person plural where the singular should be used?

Why do Irish and British folks use the third person plural where the singular should be used?

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