Using verbs with bands: "is" or "are"?

waylay00 · #1 12-23-2007, 02:25 PM

I've noticed that there seems to be a divide in the way people treat bands in syntax.

For example, people either say, "Led Zeppelin is back together," or some people say, "Led Zeppelin are back together."

Why would you say "are"? A band is collective, and you treat it as a singular entity. It's like saying, "the committee are meeting today." It just doesn't make sense.

Yes, I have a lot of time on my hands, but it's something that's always bothered me...

King Knall · #2 12-23-2007, 02:32 PM

To me it's always been singular. The only time I use a plural form is when I'm referring to the band members.

waylay00 · #3 12-24-2007, 10:55 PM

Yeah, that's what I thought too.

The Euphor · #4 12-25-2007, 05:23 AM

Thanks for pointing it out. I don't know what I might have typed/said earlier, but from now it's "is".

**GilkyBear** · #5 12-25-2007, 06:27 AM

Well, it's interesting that we refer to band names in the singular because we don't for say, sports teams.
"The Bulls ARE playing this weekend."
"The Yankees ARE from New York."

etc, etc, ...

Wonder why that is?

King Knall · #6 12-25-2007, 06:48 AM

Maybe because with names like The Bulls and The Yankees people are more inclined to refer them in the plural form. But I do see your point, though.

Ibateur · #7 12-25-2007, 06:49 AM

Because they have plural names and when you say "the Yankees" you are not indicating the team, but the team members, which is plural.

If you say "the Yankees TEAM", you would say "is"

**GilkyBear** · #8 12-25-2007, 07:07 AM

I understand that, it's just interesting that we do it.

waylay00 · #9 12-25-2007, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilkyBear

Well, it's interesting that we refer to band names in the singular because we don't for say, sports teams.
"The Bulls ARE playing this weekend."
"The Yankees ARE from New York."

etc, etc, ...

Wonder why that is?

Hmm, interesting point. Never thought about that. I think it's that the names are already plural to begin with. Same thing with the Beatles. We never say, "the Beatles is going to play tonight" (unless you're from some parts of the country!

)

andy7jem · #10 12-25-2007, 05:16 PM

I thought some kids these days say things like..."they is well good"

jemplayer55 · #11 12-25-2007, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilkyBear

Well, it's interesting that we refer to band names in the singular because we don't for say, sports teams.
"The Bulls ARE playing this weekend."
"The Yankees ARE from New York."

etc, etc, ...

Wonder why that is?

Uhhh... we don't call them The Led Zeppelins do we? It's singular.... Led Zeppelin!

The band is a collective to a singular entity and dictated by it's name and the context of usage.. Led Zeppelin: singular

But used like this: I went and saw Led Zeppelin lat night, they were great!

Context people....

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: plural

The Eric Johnson Group: plural

Cream: singular

Rush: singular

Motley Crew: Duh, "crew"..... plural

The Cure: ahh.... now here's one for debate!

Yeah right!

BTW, did someone miss the day they taught syntax and semantics in English class?

You's guys is jus bee-in foo's! But de is well good at it!

waylay00 · #12 12-25-2007, 08:59 PM

Hmm, I still use singular with "Group" and "Crew." Even though crew means multiple people, it's still a singular noun. Now if it were "Crews", then it would be plural.

Smitty · #13 12-25-2007, 09:11 PM

The correct term is "are."
Example: Led Zeppelin are back together.
It sounds weird, and even though I'm a grammar nazi, I still cringe when I see it written. No one says it like that, but that is the grammatically correct way to say it.
We know this by replacing the collective noun with a pronoun. Collective means many people, so we would say "they are back together."
Collective singular noun = plural pronoun.
smitty

waylay00 · #14 12-25-2007, 09:43 PM

But just because a noun is collective doesn't mean you always use a plural verb. This page sums it up pretty well:

http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/collectivenoun.htm

as well as this page:

http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/gramm...ive_nouns.html

And since bands act as a single unit, they use a singular verb. Now I guess if you were referring to internal strife, then you world use a plural verb: "Led Zeppelin are fighting among one another."