GV

Collective Nouns

Nouns for groups that can take singular or plural verbs

intermediate

When to Use Collective Nouns

  • •Groups acting as one unit: The team is winning. (singular)
  • •Groups acting as individuals: The team are arguing among themselves. (plural)
  • •Organizations: The company has announced its plans.
  • •Families: My family is/are coming to visit.
  • •Committees: The committee has/have made a decision.

How to Form Collective Nouns

Affirmative (+)

Collective noun + singular verb (unit) OR plural verb (individuals)

Negative (-)

The team isn't/aren't ready.

Question (?)

Is/Are the committee meeting today?

💡 British English often uses plural verbs; American English prefers singular. Be consistent within a sentence.

Examples of Collective Nouns

✓The jury has reached its verdict. (unit)

✗The jury has reached their verdict.

If using singular verb, use singular pronoun (its, not their).

✓The staff are taking their holidays. (individuals)

✗The staff are taking its holidays.

If using plural verb, use plural pronoun (their).

✓The audience was silent. / The audience were clapping.

✗The audience was clapping their hands.

Be consistent: singular verb + singular pronoun OR plural verb + plural pronoun.

Common Mistakes with Collective Nouns

💡 Practice Tips for Collective Nouns

  • • Unit acting together = singular verb
  • • Individuals within group = plural verb
  • • Always plural: police, people, cattle
  • • Always singular: news, mathematics, physics
  • • British = more plural; American = more singular
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.The police   investigating the robbery.
  2. 2.The news   shocking — I can't believe it.
  3. 3.The team   winning ___ match — they're 2-0 up.
  4. Question 4: The staff blank (be) all on holiday this week — the office is empty.
    4.The staff (be) all on holiday this week — the office is empty.
  5. Question 5: The jury blank (have) reached its verdict after three hours.
    5.The jury (have) reached its verdict after three hours.
  6. Question 6: Mathematics blank (be) my favourite subject at school.
    6.Mathematics (be) my favourite subject at school.
  7. Question 7: The audience blank (be) clapping and cheering as individuals — I could see different reactions on every face.
    7.The audience (be) clapping and cheering as individuals — I could see different reactions on every face.
  8. Question 8: People blank (be) often surprised by how cold London can be.
    8.People (be) often surprised by how cold London can be.
  9. Question 9: The committee blank (have) made its final decision and announced the result.
    9.The committee (have) made its final decision and announced the result.
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