What are collective nouns? Grammar Toolkit

A collective noun names a group or collection of people or things. familyherdpair

Grammar Toolkit There are many collective nouns, especially for animals. What collective noun would describe each picture? of birds flock of people crowd of bees swarm of fish shoal of kittens litter of boats fleet of bananas bunch of stairs flight

Collective nouns can be singular or plural, to name the group as a whole or the individual members of the group. The team is playing well this week. Grammar Toolkit The team put in their mouthguards. The team as a whole is playing well, so the verb is singular. Everyone in the team put in their mouthguards — there is obviously more than one mouthguard — so the verb is plural.

Are the collective nouns in these sentences singular or plural? The family took it in turns to wash the dishes. Grammar Toolkit plural The orchestra was applauded for 10 minutes. singular The committee is happy with the decision. singular The audience queued quietly for their tickets. plural

Grammar Toolkit A noun is a naming word. A collective noun names a group or collection of people or things. In the following sentence, the collective nouns are red. As the pack of journalists settled, the jury stood to deliver its verdict.

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