Collective Nouns

​Collective Nouns

​A collective noun names a group of persons, places, or things.

When a collective noun refers to the group as a unit, the noun is considered singular.

The family went on vacation.

The flock headed on its northern course.​

When a collective noun refers to the individual members of the group who are acting separately, the noun is considered plural.

The class brought their pets to show and tell.

The family are all going their separate ways.​

Gaggle of geese
Colony of ants
Brood of hens
Flock of birds
Smack of jellyfish
Murder of crows
Troupe of shrimp
Culture of bacteria
Cluster of spiders

Things

Band of men
Cast of actors
Choir of singers
Board of directors
Circle of friends
Class of pupils
Crew of sailors
Gang of thieves
Staff of employees

People

Animals

Batch of cakes
Bowl of rice
Loaf of bread
Carton of milk
Pile of cookies
Tub of butter
Bar of chocolate
Cup of tea
Jug of water

Identify the collective noun or nouns in each sentence.

Multiple Choice

A flock of birds flies over the lake.

• flock

• geese

• flies

• lake

Multiple Choice

The speaker faced the audience and began her presentation.

• speaker

• faced

• audience

• presentation

Multiple Choice

A swarm of bees buzzed around the group of picnickers.

• swarm

• bees

• group

• swarm, group

Multiple Choice

A soccer team in England is known as a football club.

• team

• club

• team, club

• soccer, football

Multiple Choice

A bunch of purple grapes sits in the yellow bowl.

• bunch

• grapes

• bowl

• bunch, bowl

Multiple Choice

The 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team won a gold medal.

• U.S.

• hockey

• team

• medal

Multiple Choice

The squad of firefighters showed great bravery.

• squad

• firefighters

• bravery

• squad, bravery

Multiple Choice

The committee will meet on Saturday.

• committee

• meet

• Saturday

• committee, meet

Multiple Choice

My friend and I walked to the river to feed a gaggle of geese.

• friend

• river

• gaggle

• geese

Multiple Choice

Whenever the band begins to play, a crowd gathers to watch.

• band

• crowd

• gathers

• band, crowd

Multiple Choice

Which collective noun describes this group of soldiers?

• army

• bunch

• stack

Multiple Choice

Which collective noun describes this group of papers?

• army

• bunch

• stack

Multiple Choice

Which collective noun describes this group of flowers?

• bouquet

• bunch

• stack

Multiple Choice

Which collective noun describes this group of students?

• bouquet

• class

• stack

Multiple Choice

What is the collective noun in this sentence? The pod of dolphins swam right near out boat.

• pod

• dolphins

• boat

Multiple Choice

What is the collective noun in this sentence? My teacher has the best library of books.

• books

• library

• teacher

Multiple Choice

What is the collective noun in this sentence? There was a fleet of ships near the shore.

• fleet

• ships

• shore

Multiple Choice

What is the collective noun in this sentence? Did you eat that bunch of grapes?

• bunch

• grapes

• eat

Multiple Select

Give another example or 2 of a collective noun referring to a people...

• Doctrine of doctors

• Lot of people

• Load of people

• Caravan of travelers

Multiple Choice

Give another example of a collective noun referring to animals...

• Flock of cats

• Kennel of dogs

• Plop of sharks

• Load of toads

Multiple Choice

Give another example of a collective noun referring to things...

• Bunch of meat

• Gargle of milk

• Jar of honey

• Lot of bread

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence contain a singular or plural collective noun?

The group of students were talking and laughing.

• Singular

• Plural

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence contain a singular or plural collective noun?

The jury is glad to take a break.

• Singular

• Plural

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence contain a singular or plural collective noun?

The crowd cheered for the home team.

• Singular

• Plural

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence contain a singular or plural collective noun?

The basketball team take their positions on the court.

• Singular

• Plural

Multiple Choice

The ………………… of singers sang melodiously.

• herd

• choir

• pride

• fleet

Multiple Choice

The jungle safari gave us an opportunity to spot a ………………… of lions.

• herd

• pride

• herd

• hive

Multiple Choice

Patrick and I were lying on the grass while looking at the ______ of stars in the sky.

• bunch

• galasy

• galaxy

• glaxy

Multiple Choice

• A group of wolves

• A litter of wolves

• A pack of wolves