Grammar question

I was wondering what is correct to say/write:

1. "band so and so" was formed in.....

or

2. "band so and so" were formed in.....

I look at this from two angles. 1. We are either taling about a band as a collective force, as in it. Then it should be: "band so and so" [it] was formed, right?

or

2. You are taling about a band as a group of various members, as in they. Then the correct term would be: "band so and so" [they] were formed, right?

Can anyone help me out her, without using too many grammar terms?

I would say your second option.The band name is a group of members which would make the appropriate term "were".

Were is correct, though it can seem awkward when spoken ...

Thanks guys! That was my guess too. But I've seen the opposite several times too, so I had to ask.

yeah were is the correct way to say it

I think if it is phrased "The" band so and so, then "was" would work. Because, then you are only speaking in singular terms.

The band, Saxon, was formed in 1976 under the monnicker SOB.

"Was" is the correct way to say it. "Were" is more English than American. Just like "Def Leppard are the greatest band ever" is acceptable, but again, it's more English. The proper American was is to say "Def Leppard is the greatest band ever." And that, of course, is being honest, as well.

And just because it's acceptable in England, doesn't mean it's right! Haha. When speaking of a band, it's a collective term, thus singular. If you're interested in little tidbits like this, buy this book:



It's a great book for writers. It costs about $10, and covers all those little stupid rules that people always screw up. I use it all the time.

aaarghh, now I'm confused again!

Eyesore: You think I'll find that book in our Norwegian bookstores?

I think was might be more correct of the two.


Another good little book is the Stylebook and Study Guide by Michael & Susan Cornner. It's a journalism book (it's about $5) and I had it for my Journalism class last semester. I'm talking about the shorter version too. There is another one that's about 10 times as thick (say a inch or two... or three) and more $.

Eyesore wrote:

"Was" is the correct way to say it. "Were" is more English than American. Just like "Def Leppard are the greatest band ever" is acceptable, but again, it's more English. The proper American was is to say "Def Leppard is the greatest band ever." And that, of course, is being honest, as well.

And just because it's acceptable in England, doesn't mean it's right! Haha. When speaking of a band, it's a collective term, thus singular. If you're interested in little tidbits like this, buy this book:



It's a great book for writers. It costs about $10, and covers all those little stupid rules that people always screw up. I use it all the time.

I had this book when I was taking a basic writing course in college. Now I wish I'd kept it, but as soon as the class was over at the end of the semester I sold it back to the campus book store cuz I needed beer money. Duh!

Were, is the grammatically correct way to say it. Although, when one of my students uses was, I don't take points off I just circle it and give them an explanation if they raise the issue with me. Besides, I teach in a public h.s. in America, there are usually bigger grammatical mistakes contained in their papers.