16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumAgreement with a collective noun used as a unit

Standard English Conventions practice question

The rescue crew ____ trained on the causeway twice a year.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. isCorrect
  2. B. are
  3. C. were
  4. D. have

Answer: A. is

'Crew' acting as one unit takes a singular verb in American usage.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. are
'Are trained' treats the crew as individuals; the unit reading is standard here.
C. were
Plural past.
D. have
'Have trained' changes the meaning and the number.

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