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his family were vs his family was

Both phrases can be correct depending on the context. 'His family was' is more commonly used in American English, where collective nouns are treated as singular. 'His family were' is more common in British English, where collective nouns can be treated as plural.
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Explained by Miss E.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: December 03, 2024 • 9193 views

This phrase is correct in British English, where collective nouns can be treated as plural.

"his family were"

In British English, collective nouns like 'family' can be treated as plural, so 'his family were' is used to indicate multiple members of the family.
  • Aug 7, 2015 ... In S05E22 (episode of Howard's bachelor party), Bernadette says "Do you know for a while in Poland, my family and his family were neighbors".
  • Aug 19, 2016 ... He and his family were so nice to us. Really fun to randomly meet them.
  • Jul 7, 2022 ... Just think it's great that his family were a dynasty that had fallen from grace.
  • Jun 1, 2018 ... John Tyrcha and his family were back again today to really enjoy catching some nice tuna the sharks left us alone all day again today except ...
  • Dec 14, 2015 ... Remember when we said Kyle and his family were getting a break to enjoy the holidays? Well...not so fast! Today, Kyle took off for Japan to ...
  • Jul 17, 2022 ... How many people besides Noah and his family were inside of the ark when the flood happened? Could anyone else enter before the flood, or was ...
  • Sep 9, 2024 ... My friend Mario and his family were in Rome and had dinner at Osteria Dal 1931 and the picture says it all. Not only did he say they had an absolutely ...
  • On 1 October 2008, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation ruled that Nicholas II and his family were victims of political repression and rehabilitated them ...
  • Aug 31, 2023 ... 42 likes, 8 comments - johnwhitmire1 on August 31, 2023: "Senator Whitmire and his family were once robbed at gunpoint in their home.

Alternatives:

  • his family members were
  • his relatives were
  • his kin were
  • his household were
  • his folks were

This phrase is correct in American English, where collective nouns are treated as singular.

"his family was"

In American English, collective nouns like 'family' are treated as singular, so 'his family was' is used to refer to the family as a single unit.
  • Jan 17, 2024 ... Kratos mentions his family was left in Sparta, why they are here in a village close to Nubian area? Ares says "Now that your wife and child ...
  • Jun 4, 2012 ... Greetings, In the sentence "He, along with his family, was/were forced to flee their home," which one is the preferred copula, "were" or ...
  • Nov 2, 2022 ... In reality his Heisenberg persona only full came out when his only choice of survival, for himself and his family, was to embrace his ...
  • Mar 26, 2018 ... Why would an 11-year-old Sirius turn against his family? Was it because he was disgusted by their beliefs or just because he wanted to rebel ...
  • Jan 15, 2024 ... I stopped looking into his phone, but I felt deeply betrayed. Last week, Tyler announced that his family was “coming to visit”. He gave me no ...
  • Dec 21, 2022 ... This Man's Confession About His Family Was UNEXPECTED! · Nikita Stevens. This is so sad for everyone involved. · Umm Sia. He was abused from the ...
  • Oct 5, 2024 ... His family was his whole world and he dedicated his entire life to providing everything they could ever hope for or dream of and more. He ...
  • The last time he hugged his family was a very traumatic experience, he's gotten rusty at it. Coelasquid May 4, 2018 6:12 am. Sorry this one was especially ...
  • Oct 29, 2024 ... His love for reading allowed him to travel worlds without leaving his armchair, and the time spent with his family was when Richard felt most at ...
  • Sep 4, 2024 ... Man, 71, found dead at ...

Alternatives:

  • his family members were
  • his relatives were
  • his kin were
  • his household were
  • his folks were

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