Why do Americans use a singular verb with a collective noun whilst Britons use a plural noun?

I am an ESL Instructor. Rita S. has the right answer. In the United States we look at the team as one unit or one group as a whole and not individuals. For example the team is one unit even though it is made up of many people...same thing happens when you have the government, family, group, community, Everyone, Everybody, etc. However, government, family, group and community can be made plural. Everybody and Everyone are always used with a singular verb. You must have subject verb agreement. The rules with British English are different when it is concerning groups of people. Hope this helps.

Because a "team" is an entity, just as the government is a collective entity. One unit is singular. Therefore, "The team" would be consider as one just as "the government" would be considered as one.

However, should you say "the members of the team" or "the members of the government" you would now be using plural nouns.

American English correctly classifies groups such as teams, governments, etc. as singular units, albeit composed of a number of individuals. As such, a unit takes the singular form of the verb and not the plural:

The team is competitive

The teams are competitive.

A collective noun is singular and for the sake of agreement it should have a singular verb.

For long enough teaching grammar in English was frowned upon more's the pity and that could be why we Brits get it wrong so often

Because the Americans are wrong .. Team and Government are solid units therefore the correct term is : The Government/ team is ...

There are a TON of language differences between 'Muricans and Brits.........

Not sure about the collective noun thing...

But I do know the first time my friend said, "I can't be arsed".... I was like EHHH????

(apparently that means something to the effect of I can't seem to get enough motivation to get off my errrrm..... erse lol)...

And another one...

Apparently getting pissed doesn't mean getting ANGRY....................!

It in fact means getting sloshed.... drunk.... enebriated... :D

Hmmm.......... one more is one of my FAVES........ This is SUCH a cool word, 'innit'??? ......

Juz call me an Essex girl............. pardon me while i go get my stilletos................ ;)

Americans think of the members of the collective noun doing the thing all at once, as a unit--the British are more individualistic.

It should be the team is and the government have. You obviously didn't listen very well in your English grammar lessons.

In the examples you give, the correct versions are :

The team is.............

The government has..............

This applies whoever is saying it but the majority of people get it wrong.

Well dear......we are fairly new at speaking English......we think we do it right...........but you and I both know ...........you are English........and you do it right........

Do you have your drawers on today?

I would love some spotted Dick for dessert!

Why do you bring out the naughty side of me?