Which is correct? (1) Our headquarters were moved to... or (2) Our headquarters was moved to... ?

Question

I have a fairly firm grasp of language usage, but someone I work with says that #2 is correct, and I think it's #1. I know that headquarters (like scissors) is a word that sounds like a plural when it's actually singular, but there have to be exceptions when it sounds as awkward as #2 does, right? Anyone have an answer?

Answer 1

'Headquarters' is one of those weird nouns that remains the same in both the singular and plural form. So, either of those sentences are correct, basically depending on the size of your "headquarters complex." If your headquarters is a small, one building outfit, use the noun as if it is singular (WAS moved to). If it's a large, sprawling complex, us it as if it were plural (WERE moved to).

Answer 2

That is a good question. If you look at it from the perspective of "quarters" (not 25 cent pieces, but quarters, where people are housed) I think it would be "the quarters were moved".

However, "headquarters" implies a "main quarter" (singular), in which case I think it should be "the headquarters was moved".

Answer 3

I believe its #2. Scissors is actually referred to as "a pair of scissors". That is why "were" would be the correct verb for scissors. Sometimes what sounds correct is actually incorrect. I guess that is why most multi-lingual people agree that the English language is the hardest to learn.

Answer 4

Remove both forms and try these:

"Our headquarters moved to..." or
"Our headquarters have moved to..."

Answer 5

Too many exclamation points. :o) Looks like a scam. If you were actually expecting some overseas funds (as opposed to this coming out of the blue) then look up the phone number of the FBI (dont use any numbers from the notice), call them, and verify it.

Answer 6

i persony think its 2

If you use "were", you would be impling that multiple objects have been moved