English Grammar: "is" or "are"?

Question

When you talk about a band, say, Depeche Mode, or any group/association, do you use the conjugation "is" or "are"?

For example, "Depeche Mode are releasing a new album soon!!" or "Depeche Mode is releasing a new album soon!!"

I always thought it was "is" because the noun is considered to be ONE thing, not many. I'm asking because on a forum I go to, the administration is constantly using the word "are" and it's totally wrong to me, but honestly, I don't know anymore.

Answer 1

This a difference between British English and American English.

The American view is that a group is a singular entity and so a singular verb is used.

The British view is that a group like this is actually just the individuals who form the group - so a plural verb is applicable.

To me - a Brit - the singular form sounds wrong.

Answer 2

You are talking about a single entity if you are talking about a band... Unless of course, the band is plural, such as The Beatles, which means you would use are. So, Depeche Mode is releasing a new album

or

The members of Depeche Mode are releasing a new album.


Sadly, language is massacred all the time. I find it to be even worse since chat has developed...

Answer 3

The conjugation you use depends on HOW you are referring to them. If you are referring to them, to take your example, as Depeche Mode, then you use 'is' because Depeche Mode is a singular item - it is a band. If, however, you refer to them as the band, then it doesn't matter which you use, becase a band (meaning a musical artist) is a singular item, but you can also refer to them as a band (meaning a group of people), is obviously plural so you can also use 'are'. THUS both are correct.

Answer 4

you were right 100 %-- the group IS; however,
The Beatles were great (not was great)--feels better.
also as per--
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depeche_Mode

--["Depeche Mode are one of the longest-lived and most successful bands to have emerged from the New Romantic and New Wave era. As of 2006, it was estimated that Depeche Mode had sold over 91 million records (56 million albums / 35 million singles) worldwide and have had forty-four songs in the UK Singles Chart. They have had more top 40 hits in the UK without a #1 hit than any other artist."

Answer 5

You are right.. It depends on the group name, not the persons in the group.. So, yes, the correct conjugation is "Depeche Mode is releasing a new album soon!!"

Answer 6

It's "is" in the Depeche Mode situation, because you are talking about a singular unit. If you said "the members of Depeche Mode" then it would be "are".

Sadly, people simply don't know how to write anymore. It's terrible.

Answer 7

I'd say the correct form is "is" because is a group, a band and you wont say "depeche mode are a band" nope because is only 1 band and not several bands...

Answer 8

these are all correct.

depeche mode, they are releasing a new album soon.
depeche mode is releasing a new album.
depeche mode's releasing a new album.

it depends what you mean by it.

Answer 9

You say "is"
However, once a phrase becomes so commonly misused in this language, it tends to become accepted.
(Ex: no one says "he or she" any more, everyone says "they" which is incorrect)

Answer 10

is. it is only one band. you use are when adressing 'the bandmembers'