The staff is vs The staff are

Both 'the staff is' and 'the staff are' can be correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'The staff is' is used when referring to the staff as a collective singular noun, while 'the staff are' is used when referring to the staff as individuals. The choice between 'is' and 'are' depends on whether you are treating the staff as a single unit or as separate people.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 1454 views

This phrase is correct when referring to the staff as a collective singular noun.

"The staff is"

Use 'the staff is' when referring to the staff as a single entity or group, such as 'The staff is working hard.'

Examples:

The staff is preparing for the event.
The staff is on a break.
The staff is responsible for customer service.

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Communication with the staff is also very important.
It's very peaceful, and the staff is very friendly.
I do believe that a well-functioning dialogue with the staff is essential for creating and maintaining a good working atmosphere in an organisation.
It's important that most of the staff is over on the other side of the ward... having a birthday party and making a lot of noise... because something like this could go on.
The staff is overworked.
The staff is very committed, they believe in what they are doing, and what they are doing is rescuing young people.
The staff is rebelling.
The - the staff is great.
The staff is supposed to follow orders, right?
The staff is not supposed to mix with guests.
The staff is appointed in accordance with the regulations of the Union.
The food was memorable, and the staff is charming.
Apparently somebody on the staff is shopping a book about the campaign.
You know, strictly speaking, throttling the staff is my job.
If a Librarian left that note, the staff isn't here...
Employment contracts shall follow the national laws of the country in which the staff is employed.
According to the will, every person on the staff is getting a lump sum.
When the staff is broken, Inshun of Hozo-in Temple dies with it.
I come in and half the staff is talking about Tuttle and a dissection and I don't...
Ability to send information describing the train and its operational status as far as the staff is concerned and useful measures for dealing with particular situations involving passengers.

Alternatives:

the team is
the committee is
the group is
the organization is
the company is

This phrase is correct when referring to the staff as individuals.

"The staff are"

Use 'the staff are' when referring to the staff as separate people, such as 'The staff are attending the meeting.'

Examples:

The staff are all very dedicated.
The staff are from different backgrounds.
The staff are working on various projects.

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The staff are prepared to accommodate them.
If you're not holding us hostage, let us out, the staff are terrified!
No, from what she said, the staff are fantastic.
The staff are worried.
The staff are all excellent...
The staff are refusing to serve breakfast.
The staff are some of the other party.
The staff are the moms and dads of America's children.
I understand some of the staff are talking.
Some of the staff are asking questions.
I hear the staff are very good.
Consultations with the staff are already under way and interinstitutional consultation has started in parallel.
All the staff are employed under contracts which expire on 31 December 2009.
Dudley, the staff are daily served food by a woman who cannot put a pudding on a plate without innuendo.
The Commission should be decentralised, so that the staff are given responsibility and authority to live up to.
A lot of the staff are like that around here.
That's what the staff are for, after all.
It's Easter and a lot of the staff are on holiday.
If the family's sardines, My Lady, the staff are like maggots.
(4a) The notion of a European administration requires, as a fundamental principle, adequate geographical representativeness as far as the staff are concerned.

Alternatives:

the employees are
the workers are
the team members are
the colleagues are
the personnel are

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The staff is vs The staff are

"The staff is"

"The staff are"

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