staff is or are

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A question about whether the noun 'staff' should be followed by the singular verb 'is' or the plural verb 'are'.

   Grammar: This is a fixed phrase used when asking about subject-verb agreement with 'staff'.

   Patterns

   • staff is or are
   • the staff is
   • the staff are

   I never know whether to write 'the staff is' or 'the staff are' in my emails.

   The teacher asked us to decide if 'staff is or are' is correct in British English.

   In American English, 'the staff is' sounds more natural, but in British English 'the staff are' is also very common.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   The choice between a singular and plural verb after 'staff', depending on whether you see the group as one unit or as individuals.

   Grammar: Use 'is' when thinking of the group as a single body; use 'are' when thinking of the members separately.

   Patterns

   • the staff is
   • the staff are
   • staff is or are

   The staff is very helpful in this hotel, so we always stay here.

   The staff are all wearing new uniforms this year.

   When the staff is unhappy, the whole company suffers.

Common combinations

the staff is

The staff is well trained and polite.

the staff are

The staff are asking for better pay.

staff is or are

I looked up 'staff is or are' to check the grammar.

a member of staff

A member of staff will help you with your bags.

Synonyms and how they differ

employees

Use 'employees' when you mean the individual workers, not the group as a unit, and it always takes a plural verb.

workforce

This refers to all the people who work for a company or organization, often as a single group, and usually takes a singular verb.

Commonly confused: staff is or are or staffs? staff is or are or stuff?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “staff is or are”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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