Collective Noun

What is a Collective Noun?

Collective noun refers to a noun that names a collection or group of things, animals or people. In other words, names given to a specific group are collective noun. Examples: herd, family, colony, swarm, mobe, school, army, parade, etc.

Examples of Collective Noun

Examples of collective noun are:

Examples of Collective Noun in a Sentence

1. A flock of birds soared across the sky, creating a mesmerizing dance of wings and feathers.
2. The committee of experts gathered to discuss the latest advancements in technology.
3. A pack of wolves silently moved through the dense forest, hunting for their next meal.
4. The fleet of ships sailed gracefully into the harbour, signalling the end of a long voyage.
5. The swarm of bees buzzed around the vibrant garden, pollinating flowers in their quest for nectar.
6. The team of scientists collaborated tirelessly to unravel the mysteries of the universe.
7. A herd of elephants marched majestically through the vast savannah, leaving a trail of dust in their wake.
8. The choir of voices harmonized beautifully, filling the concert hall with an enchanting melody.
9. A pride of lions basked in the golden sunlight, displaying their regal presence on the African plains.
10. The school of fish moved in perfect unison, creating intricate patterns in the clear blue waters of the ocean.

Are Collective Noun Singular or Plural?

Collective noun can be both singular and plural, depending on how they are used in a sentence. In British English, it is often treated as singular, while in American English, they are more commonly treated as plural.

For example:

1. Singular usage (British English): "The team is playing well."
2. Plural usage (American English): "The team are playing well."

Here are some more examples to illustrate:

Singular

1. The family is going on vacation.
2. The family are arguing among themselves.

Plural

1. The committee were divided in their opinions.
2. The committee has made a decision.

When to Use Collective Noun?

1. We use collective noun when we refer to a group of animals. For example: a school of fish, a herd of cows, etc.
2. Collective noun are used when we describe a group of people. For example: a crew of workers, an assembly of students, etc. 
3. When we talk about groups of objects we use collective noun. For example: a set of tools, a bouquet of flowers, etc. 
4. Collective noun are used to describe natural phenomena. For example: a shower of rain, a swarm of bees, etc. 

Mistakes with Collective Noun

1. Students often use plural forms with collective noun. Collective noun are always in singular form. For example: if you write 'A bushels of apples.' it will be wrong. The right way to write is 'A bushel of apples.'
2. Students often use incorrect collective nouns. For using right collective nouns, it is important to know when to use which word. For example: Some students write 'A herd of chips." when the correct sentence is 'A pack of chips.'

How to Identify Collective Noun in a Sentence?

1. To identify collective noun in a sentence, look for words that describe a group or collection of something. 
2. Collective noun are singular in form even though they describe a group of something therefore, check for words that are singular.
3. Ask yourself whether a word represents a group of something or is it a name of a single object or an item.