Optional test question: Shal we have a farewell party next week?

[Nessie]

Hi, please help me with these questions:

1/ At this moment, the team ... the game among themselves
a. is discussing
b. are discussing

2/ Shal we have a farewell party next week?
- yes, let's make ... next saturday evening
a. on
b. ourselves
c. it
d. no word is needed
_________________
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Yankee]

Hi Nessie

For your first sentence, an American would use 'is', but I suspect a Brit would use 'are'.

I would choose C (it) for your second sentence.
.
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Amy
.
ESL teacher, and native speaker of American English

[Nessie]

Hi Amy,
Thanks for your idea. For the first question, from the British viewpoint, I also think "are" is more suitable

May we have some idea of any British person, please
_________________
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Alan]

Hi Nessie,

I think this 'is/are' question is a matter of personal choice. As I understand it, if you consider the team simply as one unit, you would choose 'is'. On the other hand if you believe that the team is a group of individuals (and probably you know their names) you would say 'are'. This is the kind of situation I'm thinking of: My team are winning and your team is losing.

This is purely a personal interpretation. I can't presume to speak for British English.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Womens' Day

[Nessie]

Hi Alan,
Thanks a lot for your idea. I also want to state mine:
First, I totally agree to your explaination. That is what I learnt at school as British English grammar. And, as for this sentence:
1/ At this moment, the team ... the game among themselves
a. is discussing
b. are discussing

=> I choose "are" because I think this refers to a discussion among individuals in the team. It emphasize these individuals discussing with each other and not the team as a whole. That's my idea. What do you think?
_________________
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...