GUIDE ENGLISH GRAMMAR BOOK

PAGE 393
304 Differences with noun phrases
304 Differences with noun phrases
1 Group nouns
The British can use a singular or a plural verb after a group noun. • 156
GB: The committee needs/need more time.
Holland isn't/aren't going to win.
The Americans prefer a singular verb.
US: The committee needs/need more time.
After a name the Americans always use a singular verb.
US: Holland isn't going to win.
2 Two nouns together
When we use two nouns together, the first is not normally plural: a grocery store, a
word processor, • 147(4). There are some exceptions in Britain but Americans
almost always use a singular noun.
GB: a careers adviser an antique/antiques dealer
US: a career counselor an antique dealer
3 The with musical instruments
The British use the with a musical instrument (play the piano), but Americans
sometimes leave it out (play piano).
4 The with hospital and university
The British talk about a patient in hospital and a student at (the) university, • 168.
Americans say that someone is in the hospital or at the university.
5 This and that on the telephone
People in both countries say This is... to say who they are, but usage is different
when they ask who the other person is.
GB: Who is that?
Mainly US: Who is this?
6 The pronoun one
Americans do not often use one meaning 'people in general'; and they do not use
one's or oneself.
GB: One must consider one's legal position.
US: You must consider your legal position.
People must consider their legal position.