English Café: Company Names – Singular or Plural

Advanced Details: Company names: Singular or plural?

Which is grammatically correct, “is” or “are” for PTTEP/a company?

According to the Subject Verb Concord rules of English Language,

• Rule 1: Nouns like PTTEP, Siam Cement, company, department, or board take singular verbs when they symbolize functioning as a unit. American English almost always uses this rule, Rule 1.
• Rule 2: On the other hand, when they are divided or are in conflict, then they take plural verbs with them. British English, on the other hand, often uses Rule 2.

For instance,

• PTTEP/The company is united on this issue.

Here, the company is functioning as one undivided and united entity. Hence, it takes a singular verb (is). [See rule 1 above]

• PTTEP/The company are divided on this issue.

Here, the company is divided and it is not unified. A conflict is visible. Hence, it will take a plural verb (are) in this case. [See rule 2 above]