When it comes to subject-verb agreement in English, choosing between “does” and “do” can sometimes be confusing, especially for English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners and with collective nouns like “family.” The confusion arises because “family” refers to a group of people, but it is considered a singular noun. In this article, we’ll explore which form is correct—”does your family or do your family”—and explain the grammar rules behind the choice.
Does Your Family OR Do Your Family…? Which is Correct?
1. Understanding Collective Nouns
“Family” is a collective noun—a word that represents a group of individuals considered as a single unit. Other examples of collective nouns include “team,” “class,” “committee,” “staff,” and “audience.” Although these nouns refer to multiple people, they are treated as singular nouns when it comes to subject-verb agreement in American English. This means they require singular verbs.
2. The Correct Form: “Does Your Family”
The correct choice is “Does your family…” because “family” is treated as a singular noun, requiring the singular form of the verb “do,” which is “does.”
Examples:
- Does your family live in New York?
- Does your family have any pets?
- Does your family celebrate Christmas together?
In these examples, “does” is used to agree with the singular noun “family.”
3. When to Use “Do Your Family”
While “do your family” may seem incorrect at first glance, there are specific contexts where it might be appropriate. For instance, when referring to the family members individually rather than as a single unit, especially in British English, “family” can be treated as plural. However, this usage is rare and context-dependent.
Examples (British English or Informal Contexts):
- Do your family agree with you on this issue? (Referring to individual family members)
- How often do your family visit? (Referring to each member visiting separately)
4. General Rule for American and British English
- American English: “Family” is almost always treated as singular, so use “does.”
- British English: “Family” can sometimes be treated as plural when the focus is on the individuals within the group, but it is still common to use “does” when referring to the family as a single unit.
5. More Examples to Clarify
- Does your team practice every day? (Singular—referring to the team as one unit)
- Do your team members have any suggestions? (Plural—referring to individual members)
- Does the committee meet on Mondays? (Singular—referring to the committee as a single entity)
- Do the committee have differing opinions on this topic? (Plural—referring to individual members)
Does your family or Do your family?
In most cases, especially in American English, “Does your family…” is the correct form because “family” is a singular collective noun that requires a singular verb. However, in British English, there may be cases where “Do your family…” is used when referring to the individuals within the family.
