Re: USAGE: number concord in AmE, again

John Cowan writes:
 > Tim May scripsit:
 >
 > >  > "If England wins today, it will provide a great boost to the economy".
 > >
 > > There's nothing unusual about this.  "It" in this sentence refers to
 > > the fact of an England win, not to the team.
 >
 > Yes, but why isn't it "If England win today"?
 >
Oh... well, it could be, but I think the sense is of England as the
country, rather than the team.  Synecdoche, of a sort.  Nations are
always singular.

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