Subject Verb Agreement: Collective Nouns

Subject Verb Agreement: Collective Nouns

By Nedra Holmes-Goodloe

Multiple Choice

A single lightning bolt (is, are) capable of doing a great deal of damage.

• is

• are

Multiple Choice

Commercial jets (is, are) seldom hit by lightning.

• is

• are

Multiple Choice

The family (is, are) going on vacation.

• is

• are

​The family (is, are) going on vacation.

​

The family is acting together as one unit, so family is singular.​

Multiple Choice

The audience (is, are) returning to their cars.

• is

• are

The audience (is, are) returning to their cars.

​

The audience is plural. They are acting as individuals as they return to their own cars separately.

​

The word their in the sentence show me that the audience is acting separately.​

Multiple Choice

The family (is, are) going their own separate ways.

• is

• are

Multiple Choice

The flock (is, are) headed on its northern course.

• is

• are

Multiple Choice

The crew (is, are) cleaning up after the big game.

• is

• are

Multiple Choice

The team (is, are) getting on the bus after its heart breaking loss.

• is

• are

Multiple Choice

The staff (was, were) happy about their bonuses.

• was

• were

Multiple Choice

The class (has, have) brought their pets to show and tell.

• has

• have