Saturday, April 29, 2017

subject verb agreement - Is "staff" singular or plural?


In the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary there is an example for "get by":



We can get by with four computers at the moment, but we'll need a couple more when the new staff arrive.




(Emphasis changed.)


Shouldn't this be "arrives"?



Answer



In British English staff can be singular or plural. If it is the subject of a verb, this verb is plural.



The staff in this shop are very helpful.



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