26 Questions
Collective nouns always refer to multiple things at once, so they are always plural in form.
False
A group of otters is sometimes referred to as a raft.
True
A group of swans is called a wedge only when they're flying.
True
Choosing the right verb to use with a collective noun can be tricky due to their singular form.
True
Collective nouns always take a singular verb
True
Collective nouns can take a plural verb when the individuals in the group are acting individually
True
The phrase 'members of' can be added before a collective noun to use a plural verb
True
In American English, collective nouns are generally treated as singular entities
True
In British English, collective nouns are generally treated as singular entities
False
In American English, it is common to hear collective nouns being treated as plural entities
False
The pronouns 'it' and 'its' should be used with collective nouns
True
The pronouns 'they', 'them', or 'their' can be used with collective nouns
False
The phrase 'members of' is only used in British English to indicate a plural verb with collective nouns
False
The example 'The faculty gratefully acknowledges...' is an example of a collective noun being treated as a singular entity
True
The example 'The staff in rural hospitals create performance-assessment reports.' is an example of a collective noun being treated as a plural entity
True
The phrase 'The council needed to review the transcript before they could vote.' is an example of correct usage with a collective noun
False
Collective nouns only refer to groups of people, not animals or objects.
False
In American English, collective nouns are always followed by singular verbs.
False
In certain contexts, it is correct to use plural verbs with collective nouns to emphasize individual members or components.
True
In British English, collective nouns are commonly used with plural verbs.
True
Using singular verbs with collective nouns is one of the tips for using collective nouns.
True
Collective nouns are always singular in form and meaning.
False
A pronoun that refers back to a collective noun should always be singular.
False
The text provides examples of collective nouns and discusses subject-verb agreement and pronoun agreement.
True
The text suggests that in American English, collective nouns are usually treated as singular units with singular verbs.
True
The text cites sources to support the use of singular and plural verbs with collective nouns.
True
Study Notes
- Collective nouns refer to groups of people, animals, or objects.
- In American English, collective nouns usually appear with singular verbs.
- However, in certain contexts, it's correct to use plural verbs with collective nouns to emphasize individual members or components.
- In British English, collective nouns are more commonly used with plural verbs.
- Tips for using collective nouns include: leaning toward singular verbs, making the subject plural, and being consistent.
- Examples of collective nouns include: group, bunch, couple, and pair (flexible), and specific collective nouns for people, objects, and animals.
- Collective nouns are singular in form but plural in meaning.
- A pronoun that refers back to a collective noun should agree in number with the collective noun and the verb.
- The text provides examples of collective nouns and discusses subject-verb agreement and pronoun agreement.
- The text suggests that in American English, collective nouns are usually treated as singular units with singular verbs, but the emphasis on individuals in the group warrants the use of plural verbs.
- The text cites sources, including Bryan Garner and Merriam-Webster's English Usage Dictionary, to support the use of singular and plural verbs with collective nouns.
Test your knowledge of collective nouns with this quiz on the names for groups of animals. Learn interesting and unique terms used to describe different animal congregations.
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