is vs are

[Tamta]

Hello,

Which one is correct: My family is here or My family are here?
All the work has been done or All the work have been done?
Billiards is a game or Billiards are a game?
Riches bring no happiness or Riches brings no happiness?
_________________
"Never judge a book by its cover..."

[Dozy]

In BrE, "My family is/are here" are both possible, depending on whether you perceive the family to be one thing or many individuals. It is usually said that AmE has a greater tendency to use the singular verb in cases like this. An AmE speaker would need to advise on this specific instance.

"All the work has been done".

"Billiards is a game".

"Riches bring no happiness" sounds more likely to me, but "brings" does not seem completely impossible.

[Juliusestella]

Mentor Dozy,

I have follow-up questions.

What about these:

1. All the fruits are/is...

2. All the sugar are/ is..

3. All people are/ is...

I have known that ALL means PLURAL. Is this wrong?

Godspeed,

______
Julius,

[Beeesneees]

fruits are
fruit is

sugar is ('sugar' is uncountable)

people are
_________________
Cheers m' dears!

[Dozy]

It depends on what "all" applies to:

Plural noun, so plural verb:
"all the people are"
"all the cars are"
"all the fruits are"

Uncountable noun, so singular verb:
"all the fruit is"
"all the sugar is"
"all the water is"

Singular noun, so singular verb (less common):
"all the city is underwater"
"all the crop is ruined"

[Juliusestella]

Ah, I see. Thank you so much for helping me Mentor Dozy and Mentor Beeesneees. ;)

[Tamta]

Thanks for your replies:)
_________________
"Never judge a book by its cover..."