代词指代问题

If the general public were better educated, it could pressurize businesses into re-thinking their wasteful procedure.

(The general public is a singular noun so we use it to refer to the general public.)

请问the general public不是相当于 the public，表示一类人吗？为什么后面不用复数they?

《韦氏高阶》singular 单数名词（没有复数形式）

the public : the people of a country, state, etc.公众、大众

the American public
The beach is open to the public.
(US) The public is angry with the President = (Brit) The public are angry with the President.
The general public is in favor of the law.

词典例句表明，美国英语根据语法一致原则把the public按单数对待；英国英语则根据语义一致的原则将其按复数对待，于是就有了单复数谓语和代词的不同。但 the general public则通常按照单数对待。

曹荣禄 -

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