Collective Nouns
Collective nouns are special words that name a group of people, animals, or things as a single unit.
What Are Collective Nouns?
A collective noun is a word used to represent a group of people, animals, or things as a single entity. They allow us to speak about a whole group as one unit, which makes our language more efficient and colorful.
Examples of Collective Nouns
Collective nouns are used for various groups.
Groups of People
| Noun | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| team | A team of players. |
| audience | An audience of listeners. |
| choir | A choir of singers. |
| crew | A crew of sailors. |
| band | A band of musicians. |
| crowd | A crowd of people. |
Groups of Animals
| Noun | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| herd | A herd of elephants. |
| flock | A flock of birds. |
| school | A school of fish. |
| pack | A pack of wolves. |
| pride | A pride of lions. |
| swarm | A swarm of bees. |
Groups of Things
| Noun | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| bunch | A bunch of keys. |
| fleet | A fleet of ships. |
| deck | A deck of cards. |
| bunch | A bunch of grapes. |
| collection | A collection of stamps. |
| set | A set of tools. |
Subject-Verb Agreement
One of the trickiest parts of using collective nouns is deciding whether to use a singular or plural verb. It often depends on the context and regional English differences.
| Usage | Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Singular (common in American English) | The team is playing well. | The group is acting as a single unit. |
| Plural (common in British English) | The team are arguing among themselves. | The individual members of the group are acting separately. |
Rule of thumb: If the group acts as one unit, use a singular verb. If the members are acting as individuals, use a plural verb.
Key Takeaways
- A collective noun names a group of people, animals, or things as one unit.
- Examples include team, herd, and bunch.
- Collective nouns can take a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individuals.
Exercises and Worksheets
Ready to practice? Test your knowledge with these resources.