family 是单数还是复数

在英式英语中，集合名词通常都当作复数对待；
The government are debating the tax proposal.

在美式英语中，集合名词通常会当成单数对待；
The government is debating the tax proposal.

集合名词当成是单数还是复数，也要看你是不是要特意强调集合中的个体，强调个体会使用复数，因为各有各的想法：
The management board were unable to agree with each other.
The team were walking through the gate in ones and twos.
The audience haven’t all arrived yet.
Not all the staff are happy about the new arrangements.

将整个集合当成一个单位看待，就使用单数
The management board gave its consent.
The team was playing like a well-oiled machine.
The audience is ready for the concert to begin.
The staff accepts the new arrangements.

所以，family 是单数还是复数，取决于你想怎么用这个词。要强调家庭各成员，就用复数；要当成一个整体，就用单数。

常见的集合名词：
committee
company
group
class
jury
tribe
enemy
army
couple

另外，police 是一个例外，永远都是当成复数对待，使用 they 指代。