Collective Nouns - Subject-verb Agreement

Collective Nouns – Subject-Verb Agreement

Meaning decides the verb, not the form of the noun.

A Collective noun is a word that can be used with a singular or a plural verb depending upon the context of the sentence.

Examples of Collective Nouns:

1. Board
The board is meeting today.
The board are divided in their opinions.

2. Team
The team is playing well.
The team are blaming one another.

3. Family
My family is planning a trip.
My family are living in different cities.

4. Jury
The jury has reached a verdict.
The jury are arguing among themselves.

5. Staff
The staff is very efficient.
The staff are working in separate departments.

6. Gentry
The gentry is respected in this town.
The gentry are known for their traditions.

7. Committee
The committee is in session.
The committee are divided over the issue.

8. Audience
The audience was silent.
The audience were clapping and cheering.

9. Police (always plural in form)
The police are investigating the case.
The police are searching different areas.

10. Crew
The crew is ready for departure.
The crew are packing their bags.

Identification of Adjective vs Adverbs

Instructions: Read the following sentences and choose the correct option

1. The committee --Choose-- have has made an important decision.


2. The committee --Choose-- are is arguing among themselves.


3. The family --Choose-- are is planning a trip.


4. The family --Choose-- are is discussing their problems.


5. The jury --Choose-- is are disagreeing with one another.


6. The class --Choose-- is are ready for the test.


7. The staff --Choose-- are is working hard today.


8. The class --Choose-- are is sharing their opinions.


9. The gentry --Choose-- is are wearing their formal dresses.


10. The staff --Choose-- is are discussing their salaries.


11. The audience --Choose-- is are enjoying the show.


12. The jury --Choose-- have has given its verdict.


13. The audience --Choose-- are is taking their seats.


14. The crew --Choose-- are is ready to sail the ship.


15. The board --Choose-- have has approved the new policy.


16. The crew --Choose-- are is preparing their cabins.


17. The gentry --Choose-- are is known for its traditions.


18. The herd --Choose-- are is running in different directions.


19. The board --Choose-- are is expressing their opinions.


20. The clergy --Choose-- are is respected in society.


21. The clergy --Choose-- is are discussing their duties.


22. The herd --Choose-- is are moving across the field.