"The staff is" vs "The staff are"

Question

"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

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.

Alternatives:

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

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.

Alternatives:

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

Answer 1

The staff is

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

Answer 2

The staff are

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

"The staff is" vs "The staff are"

The staff is

The staff are

Related Comparisons