Is or are

[Albannach]

TLAs are irrelevant. <-- One of my favourite comments

[Albannach]

The team are rubbish, sounds nicer than the team is rubbish.

Which is where I'm in the minority. I think 'is' sounds more correct than 'are'; in this specific context.

Just because it sounds nicer, doesn't mean it's correct. 'An hotel' or 'A Hotel' (In proper English the "h" is pronounced when the word 'Hotel' is spoken on its own, but dropped when saying the phrase 'An Hotel') being a classic example.

[Ben_D]

Anyway, I just stuck Celtic in place of christmas tree and both made sense.

Suppose you could substitute any football team name for Christmas Tree and either are or is would be or at least sound right!

Ben

[yoshie]

Another classic debate, we had a similar one at work yesterday over.

"a FLM" or "an FLM"

I remebered some rule about an, always being used if the following word started with a vowel. Turns out it's if it has a vowel sound, as in eh...flm

so the correct one is "an FLM" change it to First Line Manager
and it becomes, "a"

Anyway, I just stuck Celtic in place of christmas tree and both made sense.

[Ben_D]

Using that argument; your truck's engine are running well.

Not convinced. "Your trucks engine is running well" sounds better to me.

Shall I go get my shovel?

Ben

[TonyN]

lol

Somethings don't sound right, therefore arn't.

The team are rubbish, sounds nicer than the team is rubbish.

He/it is rubbish, they are rubbish.

Powerchips are rubbish, that powerchip is rubbish.

[Albannach]

Using that argument; your truck's engine are running well.

[Ben_D]

But if it's a collective, it's one thing and therefore 'is'? (Devil's Advocate)

Team implies to me that they are all working together therefore the team are

Ben

[Albannach]

I'd say are for a team, is for an individual thing

But is a team one thing or a group of things?

[Albannach]

I would say they are rubbish as it (CTU) is a collective, a team.

Ben

But if it's a collective, it's one thing and therefore 'is'? (Devil's Advocate)

[TonyN]

I'd say are for a team, is for an individual thing

[Ben_D]

I would say they are rubbish as it (CTU) is a collective, a team.

Ben

[Albannach]

I have my own thought on this, but I can't substantiate it.

Using proper English, which of these statements is correct (Christmas Tree United being a team, rather than a person, item or place)?

Christmas Tree United are rubbish.

Christmas Tree United is rubbish.

And if Christmas Tree United upsets your inner diddums, replace it with another group of people or things.