15 Questions
Which of the following is NOT an example of a collective noun?
Run
What is a term of venery?
A term used to describe a specific type of animal
How do users of British English handle verb agreement with collective count nouns?
It depends on context and the metonymic shift that it implies
What is the Proto-Indo-European suffix used to form collective nouns that evolved into the Latin neuter plural ending -a?
*eh₂
What is the German prefix used to create collectives?
ge-
What is the Dutch circumfix used to form collectives?
ge- -te
What is the Esperanto collective infix used to produce derived words?
-ar-
Which of the following accurately describes the origin of the word 'mathematics'?
It was originally a plural noun referring to various mathematical endeavors
Which of the following is an example of a nominally singular pronoun that can take plural verb forms?
None
Which of the following is an example of a collective noun that takes plural verb forms in British English but singular verb forms in American English?
The British
What is the origin of the tradition of using 'terms of venery' or 'nouns of assembly'?
It originated in France in the Late Middle Ages as part of a hunting tradition
What is a metonymic shift in the context of collective nouns?
A shift in meaning of a word that results in a change of its grammatical number
Which of the following is true about the usage of collective nouns in British English?
They can take either singular or plural verb forms
What are collective plurals?
Collective nouns that have a singular form but take a plural verb form
What is the difference between formal agreement and notional agreement in the usage of collective nouns?
Formal agreement refers to collective nouns as individuals, while notional agreement refers to them as an ensemble
Test your knowledge of subject-verb agreement with this quiz! Learn about the rules and exceptions when it comes to matching singular and plural nouns with their corresponding verb forms. Perfect for English language learners and grammar enthusiasts.
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