Were or was?

[irmamar]

The most important band was/were the Beatles.

Thanks.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by irmamar

The most important band was/were the Beatles.

Hey - we've had this before with groups. In this case, band is clearly singular and so must the verb be.

On a different level,

The most important band was The Rolling Stones.

[lacasadeannie]

The most important band was The Beatles. ("band" is singular - a collective noun. And yes, I totally agree! )

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by lacasadeannie

The most important band was The Beatles. ("band" is singular - a collective noun. And yes, I totally agree! )

Yes, but collective nouns can be singular or plural in BrE,

The jury retired to consider their/its verdict.
The team was celebrating their/its victory

[irmamar]

No, it was the Beatles.

Thank you.

[brute]

Originally Posted by irmamar

No, it was the Beatles.

Thank you.

Oh no it weren't! (This is colloquial, but incorrect usage)

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by brute

Oh no it weren't! (This is colloquial, but incorrect usage)

I thought it was clear now.

[CrOtALiTo]

I have a question.

Was is for an person.

And the were is utilized for a third person right?

They were the greatest artist of the history.

[Rusty]

Crotalito, as stated above, the word 'band' is singular, so the singular third-person verb is used. This is 'was'.

It was. He was. She was. The apple was. The band was.


They were the greatest artists in history.

Your last sentence, corrected above, uses the third-person plural because the subject 'they' is plural.

[CrOtALiTo]

I got it.

Thank you for the explanation.