We can use singular or plural verbs with many collective nouns, Pamela, and government is one of these. Singular and plural forms are often mixed as are the pronouns that refer back to the nouns ...
However, there are many types of noun and noun phrase in English, and it can be difficult to know if a particular noun takes a singular verb (such as DOES / HAS / AM / IS ) or a plural verb (DO ...
The word evolved into “mathematics” in Latin, which often used the plural form to encompass ... is treated as a plural noun, even though it is often used as a singular subject in English.