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Collective nouns always refer to multiple things at once, so they are always plural in form.
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.
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.
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.
Choosing the right verb to use with a collective noun can be tricky due to their singular form.
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Collective nouns always take a singular verb
Collective nouns always take a singular verb
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Collective nouns can take a plural verb when the individuals in the group are acting individually
Collective nouns can take a plural verb when the individuals in the group are acting individually
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The phrase 'members of' can be added before a collective noun to use a plural verb
The phrase 'members of' can be added before a collective noun to use a plural verb
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In American English, collective nouns are generally treated as singular entities
In American English, collective nouns are generally treated as singular entities
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In British English, collective nouns are generally treated as singular entities
In British English, collective nouns are generally treated as singular entities
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In American English, it is common to hear collective nouns being treated as plural entities
In American English, it is common to hear collective nouns being treated as plural entities
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The pronouns 'it' and 'its' should be used with collective nouns
The pronouns 'it' and 'its' should be used with collective nouns
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The pronouns 'they', 'them', or 'their' can be used with collective nouns
The pronouns 'they', 'them', or 'their' can be used with collective nouns
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The phrase 'members of' is only used in British English to indicate a plural verb with collective nouns
The phrase 'members of' is only used in British English to indicate a plural verb with collective nouns
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The example 'The faculty gratefully acknowledges...' is an example of a collective noun being treated as a singular entity
The example 'The faculty gratefully acknowledges...' is an example of a collective noun being treated as a singular entity
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The example 'The staff in rural hospitals create performance-assessment reports.' is an example of a collective noun being treated as a plural entity
The example 'The staff in rural hospitals create performance-assessment reports.' is an example of a collective noun being treated as a plural entity
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The phrase 'The council needed to review the transcript before they could vote.' is an example of correct usage with a collective noun
The phrase 'The council needed to review the transcript before they could vote.' is an example of correct usage with a collective noun
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Collective nouns only refer to groups of people, not animals or objects.
Collective nouns only refer to groups of people, not animals or objects.
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In American English, collective nouns are always followed by singular verbs.
In American English, collective nouns are always followed by singular verbs.
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In certain contexts, it is correct to use plural verbs with collective nouns to emphasize individual members or components.
In certain contexts, it is correct to use plural verbs with collective nouns to emphasize individual members or components.
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In British English, collective nouns are commonly used with plural verbs.
In British English, collective nouns are commonly used with plural verbs.
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Using singular verbs with collective nouns is one of the tips for using collective nouns.
Using singular verbs with collective nouns is one of the tips for using collective nouns.
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Collective nouns are always singular in form and meaning.
Collective nouns are always singular in form and meaning.
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A pronoun that refers back to a collective noun should always be singular.
A pronoun that refers back to a collective noun should always be singular.
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The text provides examples of collective nouns and discusses subject-verb agreement and pronoun agreement.
The text provides examples of collective nouns and discusses subject-verb agreement and pronoun agreement.
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The text suggests that in American English, collective nouns are usually treated as singular units with singular verbs.
The text suggests that in American English, collective nouns are usually treated as singular units with singular verbs.
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The text cites sources to support the use of singular and plural verbs with collective nouns.
The text cites sources to support the use of singular and plural verbs with collective nouns.
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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.
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Description
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.
