english grammar help, please

[stefan]

Ok, as being my fastest and closest online English speaking friends, I hope someone might be able to help me.

Talking about staff as in the people who work at a place, would you say

1) The staff has experience[...]
or
2) The stafff have experience[...]

Similarly, which is correct?
1) The staff is happy.
2) The staff are happy.

And,
1) The staff gave away its food.
2) The staff gave away their food.
Personally, I vote for 1) in all cases, but leaning a bit towards 2) in the third case... Google turns up many of both. Dictionary.com says "staff" is plural, which would indicate 2).

What say the crowd?

[stefan]

P.s. I think the paper is supposed to be turned in as "British English", if that makes any difference

[zehd]

Luckily In Canada, we blissfully use either British or American rules, whichever way the rein falls.. (sic)

With 'staff' being A group of people, I would believe it is correct to refer to it as singular, though I must admit it looks awkward.

Then again, if you ask the average non-pedant, he/she may say to use what looks right. Which means.... whatever!!!

So long as there is MTV and supposedly the 'living' language, I doubt you will ever get the straight answer. Maybe we should call the Queen! I think I have her number somewhere!!!

PS. THis is SOOOOOOOO much better than polls!

[stefan]

Luckily In Canada, we blissfully use either British or American rules, whichever way the rein falls.. (sic)

Oh, deer

With 'staff' being A group of people, I would believe it is correct to refer to it as singular, though I must admit it looks awkward.

Then again, if you ask the average non-pedant, he/she may say to use what looks right. Which means.... whatever!!!

So long as there is MTV and supposedly the 'living' language, I doubt you will ever get the straight answer. Maybe we should call the Queen! I think I have her number somewhere!!!

I thought something like that.

PS. THis is SOOOOOOOO much better than polls!

[carpeVideo]

Good question :

From http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/agcomm..._traps.htm
which seems to have a nice explanation of collective nouns.


So what’s the solution? I’m afraid it’s another “it depends” answer.

If the collective noun (staff) is acting as a single unit, use the singular verb: “The staff is very efficient.”

If the collective noun is meant to highlight the actions of discrete individuals who are all doing different things, use the plural verb: “The staff are working on many projects for the holiday party.”

I heard a rumor that the band is performing at that party.

[Deusxmachina]

P.s. I think the paper is supposed to be turned in as "British English", if that makes any difference

That is key. American English generally treats "staff" as a singular, (although both versions are generally accepted), while British English generally treats it as a plural, (and from what I've read the singular version isn't very accepted). So for British, the first #2s should be correct.

I'm not as sure about the British third one. American English generally accepts both "its" and "their" for things like that, partially due to AE accepting both plural and singular uses of "staff" but also probably partially because using "their" to reference things or objects including companies is standard use. That use is likely technically incorrect, but it's the way people talk.

With British liking plural use, #2 also seems correct for the last one.

All of that, yet let's also not forget the true plural of "staff" which is "staves."

I have to give you credit for capitalizing "English" since plenty of Americans don't but should. Too bad your "oh deer" references an animal that gets hunted during gun season, though.

[stefan]

Good question :

From http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/agcomm..._traps.htm
which seems to have a nice explanation of collective nouns.

Ah, I knew there was a word for it.

So what’s the solution? I’m afraid it’s another “it depends” answer.

If the collective noun (staff) is acting as a single unit, use the singular verb: “The staff is very efficient.”

If the collective noun is meant to highlight the actions of discrete individuals who are all doing different things, use the plural verb: “The staff are working on many projects for the holiday party.”

Thank's, that makes sense.

I heard a rumor that the band is performing at that party.

I hope the band are not playing different songs

[stefan]

That is key. American English generally treats "staff" as a singular, (although both versions are generally accepted), while British English generally treats it as a plural, (and from what I've read the singular version isn't very accepted). So for British, the first #2s should be correct.

I'm not as sure about the British third one. American English generally accepts both "its" and "their" for things like that, partially due to AE accepting both plural and singular uses of "staff" but also probably partially because using "their" to reference things or objects including companies is standard use. That use is likely technically incorrect, but it's the way people talk.

With British liking plural use, #2 also seems correct for the last one.

Hm.

All of that, yet let's also not forget the true plural of "staff" which is "staves."

Yeah, I saw that. At least when you use the staff to wander with

Too bad your "oh deer" references an animal that gets hunted during gun season, though.

Well, it was a reference to zehd's reiny day... But since we were also discussing the Queen, maybe he actually meant reign?

[gEd]

#2 all the way!

[psycik]

To me I would have said 2 all the way...