Oh! who that remembers Parsons and Dodd ... in those two characters, etc.
2. When the antecedent is a collective noun, or noun of multitude, which should be used in non-defining and that in defining clauses, when the noun is referred to later by a singular pronoun, or by no pronoun at all, in which case the copula of the relative should be singular.[1]
The rabble, which always sees in public disorder its opportunity for plunder, flocked to the scene.
The crowd that is now surging about the entrance to these halls shows by its ominous silence that it is bent upon mischief.
But if the noun in question, though singular in form, is referred to by a pronoun of plural meaning, the proper relative, in all cases, is who, and its verb should be plural.
The audience, who were inclined to be panicky at first, being quieted by this assurance, remained in their seats.
The present government, who have shamefully mismanaged affairs from the beginning, will soon, we fervently hope, be deprived of the high offices that they dishonor.
The populace, who are always ready to applaud the noisiest demagogues, waved their hats, and shouted at the tops of their voices.
- ↑ See, further, under "Number," pp. 244-46, infra.
