Singular where plural in English (collective nouns)
In English, what we call collective nouns (e.g. family, team, police, company ...) can be followed by either a singular or plural verb conjugation, depending on whether we consider the group as a single unit (singular), or as the individuals forming the group (plural). (Note that in the case of "family" only the singular verb conjugation is used in the U.S though.)
However, these collective nouns are always followed by the singular in Spanish.
Plural where singular in English
Note that the word ''holiday/vacation'' (vacaciones) is always plural in Spanish. The adjectives or verbs following it are also in the plural form.
This would be incorrect:
"Mis vacaciones fue corta."
This is correct:
"Mis vacaciones fueron cortas."
Remember that the collective noun personnel is masculine: "el personal" and holidays is feminine: "las vacaciones".
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