Originally posted by aspviper666good logic, you got it, its a collective noun that requires a singular verb. well done
My idea is to use different words to solve the question.
I'll use words more familiar to me.
_______ the men worked together before?
have is correct as has is singular have plural
edit: but then im a freakin tool
Have the sailed together before
Originally posted by PocketKingsFirst off, it's either 'Have' or 'Has'.
I posted this in another thread but its buried in a conversation and not to be found. So i figured we could make it a thread. Post your English language trivia questions for the man who truly believes he created the language, Bowmann. Lets see if he really is the Engish language king
Fill in the blank with one of the following words: (Have, Has)
___________ the crew sailed together before?
Explain your answer genius
Collective nouns by themselves are singular. However the verb used is singular only when refering to the group as a whole, when refering to individual parts of the group, it is plural.
For Example:
Singular: The crew is eating.
Plural: The crew are fighting amongst themselves.
In this case, the "sailed together before" implies that we are talking about the individual crew members, hence 'Have' is the appropriate word to fill in the blank.
Originally posted by zebanois there an echo in here
First off, it's either 'Have' or 'Has'.
Collective nouns by themselves are singular. However the verb used is singular only when refering to the group as a whole, when refering to individual parts of the group, it is plural.
For Example:
Singular: The crew is eating.
Plural: The crew are fighting amongst themselves.
In this case, the "sailed togeth ...[text shortened]... the individual crew members, hence 'Have' is the appropriate word to fill in the blank.
1 edit
Originally posted by PocketKingsIn this case both are possible.
I posted this in another thread but its buried in a conversation and not to be found. So i figured we could make it a thread. Post your English language trivia questions for the man who truly believes he created the language, Bowmann. Lets see if he really is the Engish language king
Fill in the blank with one of the following words: (Have, Has)
___________ the crew sailed together before?
Explain your answer genius
Have the crew sailed together before?
Refers to the individual crew members.
Preferable would be to state "members of the crew"
Has the crew sailed together before?
Refers to the crew as a whole.
Preferable would be to state: "the whole crew"
Originally posted by ivangricewell there are differing opinins here, so maybe bowmann can clear it up for us. I'm 99% sure its HAVE, but we'll just have to wait for Bowmann'e final say
Perhaps a challenge to Bowmann would have more impact if he was left to take it up, rather than have the answer stated within minutes...?
1 edit
Originally posted by PocketKingsI think shavixmir has a valid point.(I didn't say that...it was a demon that said that.)
well there are differing opinins here, so maybe bowmann can clear it up for us. I'm 99% sure its HAVE, but we'll just have to wait for Bowmann'e final say
Each sounds correct ,given if crew is a single ,or a plural.
Where is Bowmann??
And don't say he is busy on the phone.😛
Originally posted by aspviper666He's lurking in the 'posers/puzzles' forum. I've heard that he has some family issues to address.
I think shavixmir has a valid point.(I didn't say that...it was a demon that said that.)
Each sounds correct ,given if crew is a single ,or a plural.
Where is Bowmann??
And don't say he is busy on the phone.😛
skeeter