[Grammar] Has or Have grammar help

[Joe333]

Sentence: "Public has/have matured now" or "The public has/have matured now"



My question/Doubt: What would be the right verb to use with the word "public", Has or have ? Does the usage of verb change if "the" were to be put before the word "public". Please answer both these questions.


Thanks

 

[kfredson]

Sentence: "Public has/have matured now" or "The public has/have matured now"



My question/Doubt: What would be the right verb to use with the word "public", Has or have ? Does the usage of verb change if "the" were to be put before the word "public". Please answer both these questions.


Thanks

The sentence does not make sense unless you include "the". The word "public" is considered as a singular thing here. Thus, we would say, "The public has now matured." It is a bit of an odd sentence, however. I would have to see it in context.