IN A PRIOR LETTER I wrote about the collective noun and its verb agreement.
Then, I pointed out that my research had revealed that it was acceptable to write: “The team have different views on the matter.” Here, reference was being made to individual team members.
However, I think that sports writer Tony Cozier was out on the proverbial limb when in the Sunday Sun of August 15 he wrote: A West Indies team are ready for an international engagement.
I was surprised that the NATION did not edit this sentence. Maybe there is the thinking that the sentence is correct.
Well, if it is, will someone point out to me how and why it is correct? On another note, our leaders are constantly urging the youth to improve their command of the English language.
However, we can hear expressions such as “physical deficit, gold metals, casting aspirations, proverty eradication and tree hundred and tree” emanating from the mouths of persons in high places.
What examples are they setting for our youth?
E. JEROME DAVIS