I have a question about the difference between Amer. and British language

[dixiegrrrrl]

Forgive me if my example is not correct or clear...

In american use, we say " The Senate is...(doing whatever)."
But Brits say "The Senate are...."

Any help out there......

[elleng]

1. The Senate is a singular entity, so it IS.

I've never seen Senate spoken of as a plural.

SenatorS ARE. . .

[frazzled]

2. Senate is a collective noun

that is, a noun that represents a collection of people or things. Explanation of using the singular vs plural with collective nouns in British and American a English is discussed in full at the link below.

Note that as a general rule:

British English tends to treat collective nouns as plural
American English tends to treat them as singular

https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/nouns-collective.php

[jls4561]

3. Not to be pedantic, but...

When Americans say "the Senate is..." they are referring to the legislative body as a single entity,

When the British say "the Senate are..." they are referring to the the 100 members elected to that body.

When referring to the current squatter in the WH, correct grammar is as follows:

$%^&&%$#WTF?)&@!^&!!!!

I hope this brings you some clarity.

[Warpy]

4. "The Senate is" implies they are acting like a unified body

"The Senate are" implies that individuals within the Senate are attempting to reach consensus with others.

It all depends on the focus. In these days of Moscow Mitch's dictatorship, I'd say "the Senate is" woudl be the correct version.

[tblue37]

5. In US usage we use singular when the group is acting as a unit, but plural if

The individual members are acting separately.

1. The committee approves The resolution.

2. The tour group decide to go to their separate ways.

The Brits normally just use the plural for such collective nouns.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. OK, I get that.

Interesting that our "mother" tongue has altered like that over time.

Thanks......

[3catwoman3]

6. It has been interesting to hear American soccer commentators...

...adopting the British habit of using “are” when speaking of soccer teams:

-Arsenal are defending really poorly today.
-Liverpool are on fire today.
-Chelsea are doing well with set pieces.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. didn't know that....interesting.

Another example of our "living language"..

[smirkymonkey]

9. That sounds really strange to my ears.

Another thing that is different between British and American English speakers is that they will say somebody is "in hospital", whereas we say somebody is "in the hospital".

I was thinking about those little peculiarities and how inconsistent they can be in our language, since we will say someone is "in school" or "at home", not "in the school" or "at the home".

It's just kind of interesting how language develops like that.

[3catwoman3]

10. Or, "went to college" sounds normal, whereas...

...”went to university” sounds a little pompous.

My husband and I watch English Premier League soccer every weekend morning, so we have gotten accustomed to the plural verb used with soccer teams. I think our sons, 30 and 27, who are lifelong soccer players, now say it this way.

[smirkymonkey]

11. Yes, that's another one that I have noticed!

I watch a lot of British movies and television, so I am used to some of it by now.

Another one that drives me crazy is that they call all desserts "puddings". For us, pudding is one specific type of dessert, and not even a very popular one at that. At first it confused me, but eventually I figured it out. It's almost like learning another language at times!

[3catwoman3]

12. And cookies are...

...biscuits.

I’ve watched and re-watched Downton Abbey so many times I’ve gotten used to pudding and biscuits