This is a recurring conversation in our house.
Me: Simon, it’s “Coldplay IS a band.” Not “Coldplay ARE a band.” Singular. They are ONE band.
Simon: Wrong. They are a band.
Me: Excuse me. I think I know. I have a degree in English.
Simon: Faith, I am English.
Don’t tell him I said so, but he has a point.
At least it’s a very good band.
Yes, I agree, they ARE a great band :p
PS: can we please have some more of your meeting story?
In the Guardian style guide (and others, I’m sure), music bands are plural. Just one of those random quirks that makes English so damn infuriating and hard to edit!
Hahaha this is brilliant….still laughing at that one. I wish I had that kind of rebuttal for grammar mistakes.
Ahaha, that Simon… You can’t really say anything after that!
I love this! I’m glad mine isn’t the only marriage where grammar matters.
Ok: Grammar lesson: It is ok to refer to the band in present imperfect tense, as: ‘they are a band’, but NOT as ‘coldplay are a band’ Furthermore, it is ok to state: Coldplay is a band.
I’m completely with you on this one Faith (I also have a degree in English and my own list of grammar pet peeves…) Just finished reading “How to Rope an Englishman” and loved your story! I look forward to checking back on here for more.
hahah yes they are a band!
Hahhah!