Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Meneghetti]

Hi,

I would like to know if the sentences are correct:

1) Internacional make it big in Japan.
2) Internacional keep Brazilian flag flying.

Considering that Internacional is a soccer team I think that the proper structure should be makes and keeps. Is there a reason for not writing this way?

Thank you.

Mauricio

[MrPedantic]

Hello Meneghetti

1) Internacional make it big in Japan.
2) Internacional keep Brazilian flag flying.

Both sentences are fine as "headline English". In a letter or essay, however, you would say e.g.

1a) Internacional have made it big in Japan.
2a) Internacional are keeping the Brazilian flag flying.

As regards the verb, in British English, when you want to treat a football team as an entity, you can use the singular, and when you want to treat it as a group of players, you can use the plural, e.g.

3. Manchester United is a very old club.
= a single entity.

4. Manchester United are running out onto the pitch.
= a collection of players.

Speakers of American English use the plural form less often, however.

All the best,

MrP