A and The noun and verb agreement

[FloMar]

Is it correct to use a+noun+ plural verb e.g. a group of men are here and the + noun + singular verb e.g. the group of men is here? I don't hear the BBC making this distinction

 

[velisarius]

What was the complete sentence?

The "problem" is touched on here:
Relative pronouns - A group of men <who, which> ...?

 

[PaulQ]

Is it correct to use a+noun+ plural verb e.g. a group of men are here and the + noun + singular verb e.g. the group of men is here?

No, it is not true.
AE has a tendency to threat collective nouns as singular: "The staff is unhelpful."
BE has a tendency to threat collective nouns as plural: "The staff are unhelpful."

It is a question of whether you see, e.g. "group" as one unit (singular verb) or as individual units acting together (plural verb).

However, in both languages, there are exceptions.

 

[Uncle Jack]

Just running some examples through in my head, I might possibly change a collective noun I usually use in the singular to the plural with 'a', but not the other way round. For me, 'group' is usually plural while 'team' is usually singular, and I might say any of the following:

The team of horses is pulling the carriage
A team of horses is pulling the carriage
A team of horses are pulling the carriage
A group of horses are standing in the field
The group of horses are standing in the field​

I cannot imagine myself saying 'The team of horses are pulling the carriage' in any circumstances, but I might use a singular 'group of horses is standing in the field' with either 'a' or 'the', should the situation seem to warrant it.

Make of that what you will.

 

[velisarius]

should the situation seem to warrant it.

Yes, we need to see some examples in context. There's usually a reason for using the singular or plural verb. The OP should supply the context for us.