"What is the BBC Proms?"

[Guest]

Last night's Prom programme had a section aimed at making concert-going more approachable to children. All very commendable. But was I being over-pedantic in reacting with horror to the title "What is the BBC Proms?" heading one of the pages? Surely this is a grammatical outrage!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

"They is a series of concerts, innit"? "They are a Music Festival"?

Tricky - but I know what you mean, Voddy: I was always mildly irritated by the title of Shirley Williams' book Politics is for People.

[french frank]

A word with a plural form (final 's') being considered as a single entity. It is referring the idea of the Proms, not the concerts individually but as a whole.

[salymap]

They is a series of Concerts started by an old geezer called 'Sir 'enry Wood' and according to the BBC held in a multi [look it up] coloured exploding honey pot. See your TV for proof of this.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

A word with a plural form (final 's') being considered as a single entity. It is referring the idea of the Proms, not the concerts individually but as a whole.

Yes. But it still sounds "sticky", doesn't they?

[doversoul1]

Yes. But it still sounds "sticky", doesn't they?

I suppose it has become a CONCEPT like a lot of other trendy events and ….concepts.

[Serial_Apologist]

I suppose it has become a CONCEPT like a lot of other trendy events and ….concepts.

Everything's a concept...

[french frank]

Yes. But it still sounds "sticky", doesn't they?

Yes - I wouldn't say it! I'd say 'the Proms are'.

[VodkaDilc]

"They is a series of concerts, innit"? "They are a Music Festival"?

Tricky - but I know what you mean, Voddy: I was always mildly irritated by the title of Shirley Williams' book Politics is for People.

Whatever theoretical reasons are put forward, the title in last night's programme just sounds wrong. To my mind, the ear is a better judge than the grammar book.

I would say "What are the BBC Proms?" In fact I would probably say "What are the Henry Wood Proms?"

[Petrushka]

Whatever theoretical reasons are put forward, the title in last night's programme just sounds wrong. To my mind, the ear is a better judge than the grammar book.

I would say "What are the BBC Proms?" In fact I would probably say "What are the Henry Wood Proms?"

Or why not, simply, 'What are the Proms?' Even I could explain that to a curious 10 year old.

[VodkaDilc]

Or why not, simply, 'What are the Proms?' Even I could explain that to a curious 10 year old.

.....as long as the word's not hijacked for school leaving parties.

[Petrushka]

.....as long as the word's not hijacked for school leaving parties.

Oh dear, yes, forgotten about that. My 16 year old niece has just had that variety but understands (I think) where I have been going for the past two months.

[mercia]

What is The Ashes? Who is The Sixteen?

[amateur51]

Everything's a concept...

Wasn't the old slogan "Condoms should be used on every conceivable occasion?"

[amateur51]

What is The Ashes? Who is The Sixteen?

Who is The Archers?