Collective Nouns are nouns that are used for a collection of persons or things. When the group is referred to as one it is known as a collective noun.
Example: I have lost my bunch of keys. The word bunch is a Collective Noun.
Look at that cluster of stars. The word cluster is a Collective Noun.
Singular and Plural Collective Nouns: Collective Nouns can be used in both Singular as well as Plural form. This means that in the singular form it would denote a single group. Singular Collective Nouns are used like singular nouns –as in, ‘I have lost my ring of keys.’
In the plural form a collective noun denote more than one groups and are used like plural nouns - as in, ‘I have lost my rings of keys’.
Just understanding Collective Nouns is easy, but using them can be a problem for ESL students. Let us look at another set of examples:
‘The audience has arrived. ’ (Singular form)
‘The audience have arrived.’ (Plural form)
The problem which is being highlighted with the help of the above example is how to find out whether the collective noun is to be interpreted as singular or plural subject in a particular sentence- as the subject has to decide which form of verb and pronoun to use.
Well, the answer is simple, if the members of collective nouns behave in the same manner, we take it as a singular collective noun and in case the members are acting as individuals, the collective noun has to be considered as a plural collective noun.
Example: The jury was unanimous in its decision.
The jury (members) were divided in their decision. (The word members is optional)
Since in the first sentence, all the jury members are of the same opinion, the verb form (was) as well as the pronoun (its) are singular. In the second sentence, all the jury members have not arrived at the same decision, and are showing their individual identities, so the verb form (were) as well as the pronoun (their) are in plural form.
Collective Nouns are interesting to learn and use. Some of them are even funny, unexpected and even poetic. The list is much longer than simple words like group, troupe, bunch or cluster. Let us try a small quiz.
Fill in the blanks:
- A _______ of money
- A _______ of lizards
- A _______ of mathematicians
- A _______ of senators
- A _______ of mountains
- A _______ of lions
- A _______ of nightingales
- A _______ of elephants
- A _______ of fish
- A _______ of horses
Answers: 1. wad, 2. lounge, 3. set, 4. house, 5. range, 6. pride, troop 7. watch, 8. memory, herd, parade, 9. catch, haul, run, school 10. herd, stable, team, troop.
Incorporating such topics not only enhances learning but also makes learning fun. Even working professionals who are in ESL classes enjoy this. It introduces the class to many new words for their vocabulary. A number of online quizzes are available to practice Collective Nouns. A reference list is available for download.
Reference:High School English Grammar and Composition – Wren & Martin
