English Grammar

Have or Has?

OlgaM

User since 2011
Posts: 1

30 Nov. 2011

I have just studied the Delavigne Connection (Scene 1-2) and in the first part I found this sentence:

The board of trustees have decided to commission a novel

I would have said : The board of trustees HAS decided to commission a novel, for board is in singular.

Why should we use HAVE in this case?
Thank you
Olga

2 comments

eBrain
User since 2009
Posts: 613
1 Dec. 2011

I think both can be said, but indeed "has" gives the impression of a common decision.
I think both can be said, but indeed "has" gives the impression of a common decision.
Andrew
Moderator
Posts: 58
5 Dec. 2011

Hi Olga,

Good question! The rules for subject-verb agreement with certain nouns are different in British English than they are in American English.

In American English, the board of trustees would be considered a singular noun, and therefore taking the auxiliary 'has', while in British English, because the board of trustees can be considered a collective group, they would use 'have'. Oftentimes, both terms are acceptable.

Other nouns which are considered collective: police, government, team etc.
Hi Olga, Good question! The rules for subject-verb agreement with certain nouns are different in British English than they are in American English. In American English, the board of trustees would be considered a singular noun, and therefore taking the auxiliary 'has', while in British English, because the board of trustees can be considered a collective group, they would use 'have'. Oftentimes, both terms are acceptable. Other nouns which are considered collective: police, government, team etc.

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