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Sports Writers Are Using The Wrong Grammar When Discussing The Tide

It is called a collective noun, a singular word that refers to a multiple part item. Common British usage is to use a plural verb when referring to a collective noun.
In the Beatles song, "Only a Northern Song," uses it this way:

The Beatles said:
When you're listening late at night
You may think the band are not quite right.
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Common American usage is to use the singular verb when the subject is a collective noun.
 
Sabanizer said:
You did solve the riddle though. People don't care anymore, sad, those little things meant a lot to my fathers generation. Like at the Ivy League schools you would get stared down if your tie or pants length were a tad off. Times have changed. Ebonics on steroids. Debating if cursive writing is needed was a top of conversation not too long ago. Of course it is!
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Language evolves. It does not remain the same. What we consider to be grammatically correct today would not have been considered so 100 years ago. Heck, the words themselves change. Worry about this if you wish, but what you are really trying to do is stop the hands of time.
 
Sabanizer said:
You did solve the riddle though. People don't care anymore, sad, those little things meant a lot to my fathers generation. Like at the Ivy League schools you would get stared down if your tie or pants length were a tad off. Times have changed. Ebonics on steroids. Debating if cursive writing is needed was a top of conversation not too long ago. Of course it is!
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Yea I know....I deal with it everyday. Times sure have changed.....pants length a tad off, LOL....now their pants are falling down to their knees?????
 
B1GTide said:
Language evolves. It does not remain the same. What we consider to be grammatically correct today would not have been considered so 100 years ago. Heck, the words themselves change. Worry about this if you wish, but what you are really trying to do is stop the hands of time.
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Exactly, go read some Old English. The Scott's still use "I" for me. It's Germanic, but evolving vs caring is debatable.

I am bad with English, I lacked the patience to learn it, but I admire those that have mastered it over anyone that can freelance slang. I hope that future generations feel the same way.
 
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Well....Monday night, I just want to hear, "The Crimson Tide has won another national championship".
I don't want to hear, "The University of Alabama have won another national championship".
 
OK, this is way o/t, but since this happened in a 7th grade English class, yesterday, here goes................

One student said that Florida is in Central America.

The rest of the class moaned and groaned, while rolling their eyes (collectively, as individuals!), and one of the budding rocket scientists blurts out:

"No, it isn't. It is in the Bermuda Triangle."

And you think collective nouns are an issue. Oy vey.
 
Tidewater said:
It is called a collective noun, a singular word that refers to a multiple part item. Common British usage is to use a plural verb when referring to a collective noun.
In the Beatles song, "Only a Northern Song," uses it this way:



Common American usage is to use the singular verb when the subject is a collective noun.
Click to expand...

You're right. When I started following English soccer, I noticed this. Such as "Manchester United have won 20 league titles".

Growing up the Huntsville Times said "Alabama has won 12 (at that time) championships."
 
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RTR91 said:
a125a3c065d0c41a0a5fb8657eaec4d2.jpg



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Hey Coach! We've got to have something to clutter our minds while we wait for THE Game! Please just make sure we don't clutter yours. We need a clear thinking coach on the sidelines on Monday night.
 
Alasippi said:
My main thing with the thread is that, "The Crimson Tide", isn't plural. It's a gathering of ONE. A TEAM. ONE team.
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That's the problem. You are not the arbiter. Both are correct. British preference is using the plural. American is to use the singular verb. Doesn't make either incorrect...
 
BamainBoston said:
Language is not math, and the rules are more like the pirate's code--guidelines. Such it is with the plural noun. How it looks and how it sounds in the individual instance are more important than rigid adherence to a rule.
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What, do you write stuff professionally or something? Guidelines, sure...


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AP style used to stipulate saying "Crimson Tide have."

JessN style was always to write "Crimson Tide has." In recent years, the AP has relaxed its stance.

Both are correct. But "have" is the "official" preference, as much as I loathe (loath? just kidding) it.
 
TIDE-HSV said:
That's the problem. You are not the arbiter. Both are correct. British preference is using the plural. American is to use the singular verb. Doesn't make either incorrect...
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Earle, in my humble opinion, right or wrong, the "Crimson Tide", is one football team. One unit, with one unified goal.
 
JessN said:
AP style used to stipulate saying "Crimson Tide have."

JessN style was always to write "Crimson Tide has." In recent years, the AP has relaxed its stance.

Both are correct. But "have" is the "official" preference, as much as I loathe (loath? just kidding) it.
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Thank you Jess.
 
The British media believe we have a good defence. Or you could say the British media believes we have a good defense.
 
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