Un groupe de personnes sont mortes dans l'explosion.

Why does mort agree with ‘personnes’ and not ‘un groupe’?

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It can be both so “Un groupe de personnes est mort dans l’explosion” is also right. Its depends on whether you insist on the collective or the individuals. Here is an article in French explaining it: http://www.lefigaro.fr/langue-francaise/expressions-francaises/2018/03/21/37003-20180321ARTFIG00022-un-groupe-de-gens-8220a8220-ou-8220ont8220-parle-ne-faites-plus-la-faute.php

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In English it’s called “notional agreement”, among other things. Thanks for the link.

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