Collective Nouns

Some nouns can be considered either singular or plural, depending on whether the speaker is referring to them as a one group or individually.

Examples of collective nouns are:

group

family

committee

team

management

The committee has not made a decision yet.

The committee have not made a decision yet.

The team is posing for a photograph.

The team are signing autographs.

(It will submit one conclusion as a group.)

They are still arguing among themselves.)

(as a group)

(as individuals)

Be careful when using collective nouns with pronouns.

The Jones family is having a reunion this Sunday. It meets every summer.

The Jones family are going home on Monday. They all live in different states.

If you have questions or comments about this page, please contact us.
Be sure to include the title of this page in the Subject line of your e-mail.

TOEFL and TOEIC are registered and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).
No connection with EslGold.com is implied.

Last updated: 15 February, 2010 02:43:16