When in doubt, rephrase.
The Grammar Gremlin says that subject and verb must agree in a sentence. But what's a writer to do when a group noun and a plural noun appear in the same phrase?
A syndicated columnist was trapped by that problem with this phrasing: "A substantial proportion of Republicans says it won't support him ... " The question is, what is the subject of the sentence? Is it "proportion," which calls for the singular verb "says," or is the subject "Republicans," which of course is plural, and would call for the verb "say."
Or is the subject of the sentence the entire phrase "proportion of Republicans"? Which, then, should be the operative verb?
Depending on which grammar text you consult, the answer could be either. Or both, depending on the sense of the sentence. Does the reader construe the subject as plural, "Republicans," or as a group noun "proportion" which according to some takes a singular verb.
Thus we have an internal or group debate as to whether group nouns are acting collectively, or as a bunch or individuals, as in "Captain, the crew is ready to make sail." Or this, "Captain, (members of) the crew are going ashore."
A writer's task is to communicate, and whatever interferes with the flow of communication must be avoided. Therefore, rather than subject readers to a puzzlement over whether the verb should be singular or plural, rephrase the sentence to remove all questions.
Try this: "Many Republicans say ..." Or this "In substantial numbers, Republicans say ..." Or any other combination of words that cancels the possibility of debate over what "should be."
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