Collective Noun

 3. COLLECTIVE NOUNS

 A Collective Noun is a noun that refers to a group of entities that may be considered either as individuals or as one larger entity. In linguistics, a Collective Noun is a word used to define a group of objects, where "objects" can be people, animals, inanimate things, concepts, or other things. For example, in the phrase "a pride of lions", pride is a Collective Noun.

A Collective Noun may agree grammatically with the verb either as a singular noun or as a plural noun, and take either a singular or plural pronoun.

 Usage

(a) In American usage, a Collective Noun takes a singular verb when it refers to the collection considered as a whole.

Examples

• The family was united on this decision.

• The enemy is filing a suit for peace.

(b) A Collective Noun takes a plural verb when it refers to the members of the group considered as individuals.

Examples

• My family are always fighting among themselves

• The enemy were hiding in their individual places.

 (c) In British usage, however, Collective Nouns are more often treated as plurals.

• Examples

• The government have not passed a new constitution.

• The team are playing in the coming test matches.

(d) A Collective Noun should not be treated as both singular and plural in the same themselves. statement.

• The family is ready to demand its (not their) requisition.

 Among the common collective nouns are committee, clergy, company, enemy, group, family, flock, public, and team.