English vs. English. Which is correct?

Question

I'm an American fan of Monty Python, and one of the things that jumps out at me when I hear Brits speak is the use of a singular noun of a concept that is in fact plural, and the plural verb, as opposed to the singular verb Americans use.
"the Crowd are loving the game"
as opposed to "the Crowd is loving the game"
the crowd is doing something as a unit. the crowd is one thing. C'mon Chaps. get with the game.

Answer 1

Given that its Monty Python, you're right and they're wrong

Answer 2

If I am not incorrect, the British DO say "the crowd is loving the game" because I study British English

(Unless, of course, I haven't learnt my lessons properly)

Anyway, according to www.dictionary.com, the search "crowd" produces the following definition:

"A large number of persons gathered together; a throng"

Also, an example given was "The play drew a small but appreciative crowd."

The use of "a" shows that crowd should be singular.

Anyway for groups of nouns the verb that follows is always singular, for example "The herd of lions was charging towards the helpless zebra"

Answer 3

Crowd is plural but is also describing a single group of people.Makes sense i think.

Answer 4

There are many differences between American and British English (especially in spelling). Wherever you live determines which one should be used.

Answer 5

crowd is singular. so the crowd is loving the game.

Answer 6

both are