Bonjour Stephen, We get a lot of questions about things like this. Some English speakers say "the family is" while others say "the family are." You can read our policy here:
https://www.kwiziq.com/is-this-english-correct
I think family is singular in English.
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StephenKwiziq community member
I think family is singular in English.
This question relates to:French lesson "Nouns that are plural in English but singular in French, and vice versa"
Asked 5 years ago
JimKwiziq community member
As I understand it, it is a distinction between American and British English. American English treats most collective nouns as singular, with exceptions like "police" and "people," which use plural verbs. I have to say, my American ears strongly object to "the family are." If I were to say it, I am pretty sure Mrs. Holden, my sixth grade grammar teacher, would turn over in her grave.
RichardKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Whether some people say ‘ the family is’ and some say ‘the family are’ is irrelevant. It is incorrect to say ‘the family are’. The fact that some people are wrong does not make it right!
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