Rule 1:Understanding Collective Nouns

Front

What is a collective noun?

Back

A collective noun is a word that refers to a group of individuals or things as a single entity, such as 'team', 'flock', or 'jury'.

Front

When do collective nouns take a singular verb?

Back

Collective nouns take a singular verb when the group is acting as a single unit or when they are agreeing.

Front

When do collective nouns take a plural verb?

Back

Collective nouns take a plural verb when the members of the group are acting individually or disagreeing.

Front

Example of a collective noun used in a singular form.

Back

The team is winning the match.

Front

Example of a collective noun used in a plural form.

Back

The team are arguing about the strategy.

Front

What verb form is used with collective nouns when they are performing the same action?

Back

Singular.

Front

Fill in the blank: Collective nouns are singular when they are ______.

Back

agreeing.

Front

What is the correct verb form in this sentence: 'The jury ___ looking forward to lunchtime.'?

Back

is.

Front

What happens to the verb form when collective nouns are disagreeing?

Back

They take a plural verb.

Front

Provide an example of a collective noun that can be both singular and plural.

Back

The committee can be 'The committee is meeting' (singular) or 'The committee are divided in their opinions' (plural).