A Blooper in the Society Pages: “Couple”

In recent weeks, several readers have brought up one of my most cringe-worthy grammar peeves: using the incorrect subject-verb agreement with couple.

Couple should be treated as a singular noun. It is a collective noun. I’m afraid you’ll read it incorrectly in the society pages:

Following a honeymoon in the Bahamas, the couple plan to reside in Jackson, Mississippi.

The grammatically correct sentence is below:

Following a honeymoon in the Bahamas, the couple plans to reside in Jackson, Mississippi.

These are correct agreements:

The couple plans

The couple has

The couple is

Keep the questions coming.

 

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