Calling all English majors and geeks!!

[higgies]

I'm in an argument right now with my fiance. I need to write the hotel reservation card for our "Save the Date" cards. Her mother gave me the following text:

"A block of rooms have been reserved at the Courtyard by Marriott."

I changed it to:

"A block of rooms has been reserved at the Courtyard by Marriott."

Now before I take it to Kinko's for printing, they want me to change it...but I'm pretty sure I'm right as "a block of rooms" is singular. "A block" is the singular and "of rooms" being a descriptor. Excuse my ingorance of correct English terms.

Can someone please settle this for me?! TIA!!

[Alexa]

Re: Calling all English majors and geeks!!

I couldn't explain the technicalities but I'd say that 'have' sounds right to me.

But don't take my word for it - just my 2 pence

[bradybunch]

Re: Calling all English majors and geeks!!

Not an English major, but i think block is a collective noun. thus making it plural. I would say have is proper

[higgies]

Re: Calling all English majors and geeks!!

Collective nouns are treated as a singular unless the members of the individual units of the group act independently. See? Isn't this confusing?

[Tracie515]

Re: Calling all English majors and geeks!!

have sounds right to me.

[bradybunch]

Re: Calling all English majors and geeks!!

My Mom has taught English for thirty years. I tried to get a hold of her but could not. It is confusing. If i am able to reach her tonight I will find out, brady

[higgies]

Re: Calling all English majors and geeks!!

Thanks! You rock!

If "block", in "a block of rooms", is a collective noun then I have found lots of sources online that state a collective noun is always treated as singular.

[fyler]

Re: Calling all English majors and geeks!!

A block of cheese has been reserved, so a block of rooms has been reserved.
Drop the prepositional phrase "of rooms" or "of cheese" is what I was taught.

But since neither sounds right to everyone, how about rewording to:
The Courtyard by Marriot has a block of rooms reserved.

Good luck
Fyler

[higgies]

Re: Calling all English majors and geeks!!

Think I got my answer!!

A singular subject must have a singular verb; a plural subject must have a plural verb.

Look for the subject of the sentence and determine whether it is singular or plural.

If you see a preposition, ignore the nouns or pronouns in the prepositional phrase. Consider crossing out the prepositional phrase so that it does not distract you from the subject of the sentence.

A group of students were studying for the test.

This sentence is incorrect. The subject is "group," which is singular. Ignore the prepositional phrase "of students" and use a verb that agrees with the subject of the sentence.

A group of students was studying for the test.

This sentence is correct.

[higgies]

Re: Calling all English majors and geeks!!

Fyler...thanks! LOL! It's funny that I was thinking the same thing....just reqord the darn thing!

[Lulubell]

Re: Calling all English majors and geeks!!

has is correct.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Calling all English majors and geeks!!

has

that's my vote

[zencyn]

Re: Calling all English majors and geeks!!

has has my vote too

[cincywbbw]

Re: Calling all English majors and geeks!!

regord...lol..maybe we should check the spelling..lol..just kidding, I think toi reword it would be the best thing...just my two cents..

[Laurenfra]

Re: Calling all English majors and geeks!!

OK I am late but I WAS an English Major but still had to double check with DS. You my dear Higgies are correct. W/o the prep phrase "A block has been reserved" Or you could say "Rooms have been reserved".
There will be many more arguments before this is all done so just find a phrase you all can agree with.((((((hUGS)))))