Are it is or is it are?

Question

"Are the whole bunch of people talking and muttering?" OR
"Is the whole bunch of people talking and muttering?"
I think it is but what was that rule again?

Answer 1

You're in LUCK!!! I teach English grammar.
So, here it goes.
The rule says that if there is a 'group' word (e.g. family, crowd, jury, enemy, police) then you can use the singular or the plural. That depends on whether we talk about the word thinking of each member of it separately (plural), or we mention all of them as one (singular)
Example: The jury is ready to give the verdict
BUT:
The jury are all staying at a hotel
So, generally speaking you can use both.
In your sentence, however, you use the word 'whole' before 'bunch'.
"whole" is used only with singular nouns, which makes 'bunch' a singular word.
Therefore, the correct one is:

"Is the whole bunch of people talking and muttering?"

Answer 2

Although a group (or bunch) is many, the word is singular. "Is the whole bunch" is correct in proper (sucky) English :)

Answer 3

I think it's "is" too!
Beause you are talking about "the group" as a whole thing rather than them being individuals - I think! HA - now my head hurts!
Hmm, yeah, definately "is". Don't ask how, I just know!

Answer 4

Yeah, what he ^ said.