the collective noun for homework is

What is the Collective Noun for Homework?

The collective noun for homework is a pile. Stack, bundle, and batch are the other collective names for homework.

What is a group of Homework called?

A group of homework is called a pile. Besides, based on different situations terms like stack, bundle, and batch are used to denote a group of homework.

A Pile of Homework

A pile of homework is used to describe a large group of homework, usually when it is all due at the same time.

Examples sentences:

• The pile of homework was daunting.
• The pile of homework was growing by the minute.
• The pile of homework was overwhelming.

A Stack of Homework

A stack of homework is used to describe a group of homework that is neatly organized.

• The stack of homework was neatly arranged.
• The stack of homework was organized by subject.
• The stack of homework was ready to be graded.

A Bundle of Homework

A bundle of homework is used to describe a group of homework that is bound together.

• The bundle of homework was tightly bound.
• The bundle of homework was ready to be turned in.
• The bundle of homework was securely fastened.

A Batch of Homework

A batch of homework is used to describe a group of homework that is assigned at the same time.

• The batch of homework was due the following day.
• The batch of homework was assigned to the entire class.
• The batch of homework was difficult to complete.

Interesting Facts About Homework:

• Homework has been around since the 16th century.
• Homework is used to reinforce learning.
• Homework can help students develop good study habits.
• Homework can help students learn to manage their time.
• Homework can help students develop critical thinking skills.
• Homework can help students learn to work independently.

Conclusion:

Homework may not be the most exciting thing in the world, but it is an important part of learning. Its collective nouns of pile, stack, bundle, and batch are proof of its importance in the classroom.

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Collective Nouns: Definition, Examples, & Exercises

• The Albert Team
• Last Updated On: March 1, 2022

Collective nouns can be a little tricky to identify and use. Are they singular, or are they plural? What type of verb do I use with a collective noun? With a little practice, collective nouns can quickly be mastered.

In this post we’ll review what collective nouns are, the singular and plural forms of collective nouns, and how to ensure proper subject-verb agreement when using collective nouns.

After reviewing the information below, test yourself with a post-assessment quiz and practice with our high quality, standards-aligned questions here .

What We Review

The Basics of Collective Nouns

What is a Collective Noun? 

A collective noun is a word or phrase that represents a group of people or things but is treated as a singular entity ( Hint : a “collection” of people or things). Even though you can count the individual members of the group, you usually think of the individuals as a group, a whole, or as one unit. 

Because collective nouns describe a plurality of something, they are often confused with plural nouns. Additionally, collective nouns can be made into plural nouns, like most common nouns.

Consider this: A group is learning about different types of nouns .

There are three nouns in the sentence above. One is a collective noun, and the others are plural nouns.

Collective Noun : group

Plural Nouns : types, nouns

What is the relationship between collective and plural nouns?

Plural means more than one, so plural nouns are referring to more than one of that particular noun. The most common way to make a noun plural is by adding an ‘s’ to the end of the word, though there are various reals related to making singular nouns plural.

Singular: Tree  / Plural: Trees

Singular: Student /   Plural: Students

Collective nouns are singular words used in place of plural nouns. Collective nouns can be singular or plural, but plural nouns are always plural.

Let’s use the example from above: A group is learning about different types of nouns.

What is a group? It is a collection of people, places, or things. In this case, we can infer that the group is a number of students.

The word “students” is a plural noun for student.

The sentence could be written without using a collective noun: Students are learning about different types of nouns.

So aren’t collective nouns plural if they are made up of more than one of the same thing? It’s easy to make the mistake of thinking collective nouns are plural; however, these words are designed to represent a single unit of more than one of the same thing.

Collective nouns can also be plural: Groups are learning about different types of nouns.

What does “groups” mean in this sentence? It means more than one group, making it a plural collective noun.

Collective Proper Nouns

Collective nouns may also be proper nouns when that proper noun represents a group.

• Since Maroon 5 is a music group with multiple members, it is a collective proper noun, and It is treated as a singular noun in a sentence.
• Since Target is a large retail chain, it would be considered a collective proper noun in this sentence.
• I shop at the Target on the corner.
• Hint: If you substitute a generic collective noun like “the band” or “the company” with the proper noun, you can see that the proper noun is a collective noun, so it should be treated as a collective noun in a sentence with singular verbs.

Some collective proper nouns, sports teams in particular, often use the plural form of the team name and require the use of a plural verb and plural pronouns as needed:

• The Cubs have won the World Series, breaking their 107 year losing streak.

However, if the name of a city is used in place of the team name, it is treated as a singular noun:

• Chicago won the World Series, breaking its 107 year losing streak.

How do you use collective nouns?

Collective nouns can be used in any type of sentence, but the most common mistakes made when using collective nouns is subject-verb disagreement and pronoun disagreement .

Subject-Verb Agreement:

If a singular collective noun is used in a sentence, it needs to be treated like a singular noun.

Incorrect Example: The team are playing in the championship game.

Correct Example: The team is playing in the championship game.

We use the singular verb “is” with a collective noun, because a collective noun represents a singular unit. If the collective noun is made plural, than the verb will follow plural noun rules:

The team s are playing in the championship game.

Let’s look again at our sample sentences and add one more using a singular noun for students:

• A group is learning about different types of nouns.
• Students are learning about different types of nouns.
• Groups are learning about different types of nouns.
• A Student is learning about different types of nouns.

What differences do you see in the sentences?

• A student is learning about different types of nouns.

You’ll notice that verb usage for singular nouns are the same. Sentences 1 and 4 use the singular verb “is”.

The sentences with singular nouns also use the article “A” before the noun.

The verb usage for plural nouns are the same as well. Sentences 2 and 3 use the plural verb “are”, and there is no need for an article before the noun.

Subject-Pronoun Agreement

Pronoun agreement follows the same rules as verb agreement for collective nouns. Singular pronouns are used for singular collective nouns, and plural pronouns are used for plural collective nouns.

Incorrect Example: The bouquet of flowers is wilting, even though they were labeled as fresh.

Correct Example: The bouquet of flowers is wilting, even though it was labeled as fresh.

We use the singular pronoun “it” with a collective noun, because a collective noun represents a singular unit. If the collective noun is made plural, than the pronoun will follow plural noun rules:

The bouquet s of flowers are wilting, even though they were labeled as fresh.

Return to Table of Contents

3 Tips For Recognizing and Using Collective Nouns

Tip #1: if it takes more than one person, animal, or thing to use the word, it’s probably a collective noun.

• If I was looking at a flock , I would be looking at a group of birds flying together. So flock is a collective noun.

Tip #2: Subject-Verb Agreement: Singular collective nouns use singular verbs, plural collective nouns use plural verbs

• The class is expected to follow classroom expectations.
• The classes are expected to follow classroom expectations.

Tip #3: Pronoun Agreement: Singular collective nouns use singular pronouns, plural collective nouns use plural pronouns

• The crew on the aircraft carrier is prepared to deploy if it is called on.
• The crews on the aircraft carriers are prepared to deploy if they are called on.

Applying the Basics: Collective Noun Practice

Now that you understand what collective nouns are, and how to use them properly in a sentence, let’s practice identifying them and checking for proper verb and pronoun usage. Remember, collective nouns are considered singular nouns, and they should be used with singular verbs and pronouns.

The Ultimate List of Collective Nouns

Refer to the chart below for an extensive list of common collective nouns.

*Please note that this list does not include all collective nouns, and many of the words can be used for different things as well as cross categories.

Collective Nouns: Identifying Collective Nouns

Complete the quick exercise below to assess your mastery of collective nouns.

Select the collective noun(s) in the sentences below. Remember, a collective noun is a word or phrase that represents a group of people or things but is treated as a singular entity. Collective nouns can be made plural like most common nouns.

1. I went with a group of students to see the statues commemorating the army of soldiers that fought in the Korean War.

• In this sentence, group and army are collective nouns. Each word represents multiple people in a single unit.

2. The audience cheered as the team took the field for the first game in the series against its biggest rival.

• In this sentence, audience , team , and series are collective nouns. Each word represents multiple people or things in a single unit.

3. The committees are working on different projects to help increase community involvement in school events.

• In this sentence, committees and community are collective nouns. The word committees is also a plural collective noun. Each word represents multiple people in a single unit or units.

4. His family bought a bunch of movies from Best Buy to donate to the company’s gift drive.

• In this sentence, family , bunch , Best Buy , and company’s are collective nouns. Best Buy is a proper collective noun, and company’s has an apostrophe and an ‘s’, because it is also acting as a possessive noun. Each word or phrase represents multiple people or things in a single unit.

5. The Students wishing to start a school choir met with the school board and faculty to present a list of arguments supporting the idea.

• In this sentence, choir , board , faculty , and list are collective nouns. Each word represents multiple people or things in a single unit.

Pro tip: When evaluating whether a noun is a collective noun , ask yourself, “Does this word represent multiple people or things as one unit?”

Collective Nouns: Identifying Subject-Verb Agreement and Disagreement

Complete the quick exercise below to assess your mastery of subject-verb agreement when using collective nouns.

Review each sentence and select the verb that ensures accurate subject-verb agreement . Remember, a collective noun is a singular noun and uses singular verbs. Collective nouns can be made plural and use plural verbs.

1. The mob of Black Friday shoppers (is, are) anxiously waiting for the store to open.

• The correct verb for this sentence is is , because the subject, mob, is a singular collective noun.

2. His Science class (take, takes) the AP® exam on Friday.

• The correct verb for this sentence is takes , because the subject, class, is a singular collective noun.

3. On Saturday, the local girl scout troops (sell, sells) cookies outside of the grocery stores.

• The correct verb for this sentence is sell , because the subject, troops, is a plural collective noun.

4. The congregation (sings, sing) the hymn along with the pastor.

• The correct verb for this sentence is sings , because the subject, congregation, is a singular collective noun.

5. The apple orchard I go to every fall (have, has) 30 varieties of apples and the best brunch around.

• The correct verb for this sentence is has , because the subject, orchard, is a singular collective noun.

Pro tip: When evaluating whether or not a sentence has proper subject-verb agreement when the subject is a collective noun, ask yourself, “Is this collective noun singular or plural?” Singular collective nouns use singular verbs, and plural collective nouns use plural verbs. If you can replace the collective noun with the word “it”, it is singular.

Collective Nouns: Identifying Subject-Pronoun Agreement and Disagreement

Complete the quick exercise below to assess your mastery of subject-pronoun agreement when using collective nouns.

Review each sentence and select the pronoun that ensures accurate subject-pronoun agreement . Remember, a collective noun is a singular noun and uses singular pronouns. Collective nouns can be made plural and use plural pronouns.

1. The staff was commended for (its, their) hard work this year.

• The correct pronoun for this sentence is its , because the subject, staff, is a singular collective noun.

2. Most people order a batch of chocolate chip cookies, because (it’s, they’re) the most popular item.

• The correct pronoun for this sentence is it’s , the contraction ‘it is’, because the subject, batch, is a singular collective noun.

3. In the fall, I like to watch the flocks of birds flying south to (its, their) winter home.

• The correct pronoun for this sentence is their , because the subject, flocks, is a plural collective noun.

4. The lovely bouquet of roses smells like (it, they) came fresh from the garden.

• The correct pronoun for this sentence is it , because the subject, bouquet, is a singular collective noun.

5. The jury struggles to agree on a verdict, so (it, they) asks for more time to deliberate.

• The correct pronoun for this sentence is it , because the subject, jury, is a singular collective noun.

Pro tip: When evaluating whether or not a sentence has proper subject-pronoun agreement when the subject is a collective noun, ask yourself, “Is this collective noun singular or plural?” Singular collective nouns use singular pronouns, and plural collective nouns use plural pronouns. If you can replace the collective noun with the word “it”, it is singular.

For additional practice, check out Collective Noun content on Albert.

Try for Yourself: Collective Noun Quiz

Feeling confident in your understanding of collective nouns?

Take this short quiz to see what you’ve learned:

1. Is a collective noun, like the word “group”, treated as a singular or plural noun?

• Answer: Singular
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! A collective noun, like the word “group”, is treated as a singular noun , because the word “group” represents multiple people or things as a single unit .
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right. Remember, unless the collective noun is made plural , in this case by adding an ‘s’ to the word group , it is treated as a singular noun.

2. Do collective nouns like the words “team” and “herd” use singular or plural verbs and pronouns?

• Correct Explanation: That’s right! Collective nouns, like the words “team” and “herd”, are treated as singular nouns , because they represent multiple people or things as a single unit . Therefore, they use singular verbs and pronouns .
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right. Remember, unless collective nouns are made plural , in this case by adding an ‘s’ to the words team and group , they are treated as singular nouns. Therefore, they use singular verbs and pronouns .

3. In this sentence, is the underlined word collective , plural , or plural collective ?

By the end of the game, our team was in first place.

• Answer: Collective
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The underlined word, team, is a collective noun . It is a singular word that represents multiple people (players).
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right. Remember, if a word represents multiple people as a single unit, it is a collective noun . Additionally, unless a collective noun is made plural , in this case by adding an ‘s’ to the word team , it is treated as a singular noun.

4. In this sentence, is the underlined word collective , plural , or plural collective ?

There are colonies of ants all over the field.

• Answer: Plural Collective
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The underlined word, colonies, is the plural form of the collective noun ‘colony’, which represents multiple ant living as one group. The word colonies means more than one colony.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right. Remember, if a word represents multiple things as a single unit, it is a collective noun . Additionally, a collective noun can be made plural – in this case by dropping the ‘y’ and adding ‘ies’ to the word colony .

5. Does the verb in the following sentence agree or disagree with the subject?

When the litter of puppies is ready, I get to take one home.

• Answer: Agree
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The subject, litter, is a singular collective noun , so it uses the  singular verb ‘is’ for accurate subject-verb agreement .
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right. Remember, a singular collective noun uses a singular verb for accurate subject-verb agreement. Litter is a singular collective noun, so it uses the singular verb ‘is’.

6. Does the pronoun in the following sentence agree or disagree with the subject?

I listen to my favorite band while working, because they help me focus.

• Answer: Disagree
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The subject, band, is a singular collective noun , so it would use the  singular pronoun ‘it’ for accurate subject-pronoun agreement .
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right. Remember, a singular collective noun uses a singular pronoun for accurate subject-pronoun agreement. Band is a singular collective noun, so it uses the singular pronoun ‘it’.

For additional practice with collective nouns, check out our practice on Albert.io: Collective Nouns

Teacher’s Corner for Collective Nouns

While it’s true that collective nouns are a foundational grammar skill, the Common Core English Language Progressive Skills Chart shows that even elementary-level skills “require continued attention in higher grades as they are applied to increasingly sophisticated writing and speaking.” 

For specific standards addressing collective nouns, or standards on subject-verb and subject-pronoun agreement, check out the Common Core State Standards site! 

Albert’s collective nouns practice can be used for much more than homework! Our assessments can be used as pre-and post-tests to measure student progress. Our pre-made quizzes can be used as bell-ringers, exit tickets, and more! 

In addition to our pre-made assessments, you can also use our assignments feature to create your own quizzes and assessments.

Summary on Collective Nouns

A Collective Noun is a word or phrase that represents a group of people or things but is treated as a singular entity. They can be made plural following the normal rules for making nouns plural.

Subject-Verb and Subject-Pronoun Agreement is where most mistakes are made when using collective nouns. Collective nouns are treated as singular nouns unless they are made plural. Singular collective nouns use singular verbs and pronouns, and plural collective nouns use plural verbs and pronouns.

Collective nouns are words we see and use every day. When using collective nouns in your writing, make sure you carefully check your work to ensure you are using the appropriate verbs and pronouns!

Practice makes perfect! Use our collective nouns practice on Albert’s grammar course !

You can also access over 3,400 high-quality questions that address nearly every grammatical concept.

Need help preparing for your Grammar exam?

Albert has hundreds of grammar practice questions with detailed explanations to help you master concepts.

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Collective Nouns: Definition, Useful List and Examples

Have you ever heard of collective nouns? They are words that represent a group of people, animals, or things as a single entity. For example, a team is a collective noun that represents a group of individual members. Other examples include herd, flock, swarm, and pack.

In this article, we will explore the concept of collective nouns in detail. We will provide you with a comprehensive list of common collective nouns and explain how to use them correctly in a sentence. Whether you are a native speaker or learning English as a second language, this article will help you improve your grammar and communication skills.

Collective Noun Definition

Collective nouns refer to a group of people, animals, or things as a single entity. These nouns are used to describe a collection of individuals or objects that share a common trait or characteristic.

For example, a “herd” of cows, a “flock” of birds, and a “team” of players are all collective nouns. Even though there may be multiple cows, birds, or players, they are referred to as a single entity.

One common mistake when using collective nouns is subject-verb disagreement. It can be confusing to determine whether to treat a collective noun as singular or plural. However, it is important to remember that collective nouns are typically treated as singular entities.

Here are some examples of collective nouns:

• A “family” of birds
• A “pack” of wolves
• A “fleet” of ships
• A “class” of students

Collective nouns can be either common or proper nouns . Common collective nouns are used to describe groups of things, while proper collective nouns are specific to a particular group or organization.

Here are some examples of proper collective nouns:

• The “United Nations”
• The “New York Yankees”
• The “Royal Family”

In conclusion, collective nouns are an important part of the English language. They allow us to describe groups of people, animals, or things as a single entity. Remember to treat collective nouns as singular entities and use them correctly in your writing.

Collective Nouns Examples

Here we have listed some of the more commonly used collective nouns for humans, animals, and objects.

List of Collective Nouns for People

These important collective nouns are commonly used under the category of people.

• A class of students.
• An army of soldiers.
• A choir of singers.
• A crew of sailors.
• A band of musicians.
• A bunch of crooks.
• A crowd of people/spectators.
• A gang of thieves.
• A group of dancers.
• A team of players.
• A troupe of artists/dancers.
• A pack of thieves.
• A staff of employees.
• A regiment of soldiers.
• A tribe of natives.
• An audience of listeners.
• A panel of experts.
• A gang of labourers.
• A flock of tourists.
• A board of directors.

List of Collective Nouns for Animals

The following collective nouns are used for animals.

• A catch of fish.
• An army of ants.
• A flight of birds.
• A flock of birds.
• A haul of fish.
• A flock of sheep.
• A herd of deer/cattle/elephants/goats/buffaloes.
• A hive of bees.
• A litter of cubs.
• A host of sparrows.
• A team of horses.
• A troop of lions.
• A zoo of wild animals.
• A pack of wolves.
• A litter of puppies/kittens.
• A swarm of bees/ants/rats/flies.
• A team of horses/ducks/oxen.
• A murder of crows.
• A kennel of dogs.
• A pack of hounds.

List of Collective Nouns for Things

The following collective nouns are used for things.

• A group of islands.
• A galaxy of stars.
• A wad of notes.
• A forest of trees.
• A stack of wood.
• A fleet of ships.
• A string of pearls.
• An album of stamps/autographs/photographs.
• A hedge of bushes.
• A library of books.
• A basket of fruit.
• A bowl of rice.
• A pack of cards.
• A pair of shoes.
• A bouquet of flowers.
• A bunch of keys.
• A chest of drawers.
• A pack of lies.
• A range of mountains.
• A cloud of dust.

These nouns are endless and these are just a list of those used more often. As you continue to work on improving your English, you will stumble across many more. Be sure to add them to your list and use them as frequently as you can.

Collective Nouns in Sentences

When using collective nouns in sentences, it’s important to remember that they refer to a group of people, animals, or things as a single entity. Here are some examples of collective nouns in sentences:

• The team is playing well today. (referring to a group of players)
• The herd of deer is grazing in the field. (referring to a group of deer)
• The jury has reached its verdict . (referring to a group of jurors)
• The committee is meeting tomorrow to discuss the budget. (referring to a group of committee members)

It’s important to note that collective nouns can be treated as singular or plural, depending on the context of the sentence. For example:

• The team is playing well today. (singular)
• The team are all wearing their new uniforms. (plural)

In the first sentence, “team” is treated as a singular entity, while in the second sentence, “team” is treated as a group of individuals.

When using collective nouns in sentences, it’s also important to use the correct verb agreement. For example:

• The family is going on vacation. (singular)
• The family are all packing their bags. (plural)

In the first sentence, “family” is treated as a singular entity, while in the second sentence, “family” is treated as a group of individuals.

Overall, using collective nouns in sentences can be tricky, but with practice and attention to context and verb agreement, you can use them effectively in your writing.

Collective Nouns Vs Countable and Uncountable Nouns

When it comes to nouns, there are different types that you need to know. Collective nouns are one of them. They refer to a group of people, animals, things, or ideas as a single entity. For example, “team” is a collective noun because it refers to a group of individuals as one unit.

On the other hand, countable nouns refer to things that can be counted, such as “books” or “chairs.” These nouns have both singular and plural forms, and we can use numbers to quantify them. Uncountable nouns, on the other hand, refer to things that cannot be counted, such as “water” or “sand.” We cannot use numbers to quantify them, and they only have a singular form.

One key difference between collective nouns and countable/uncountable nouns is how they are used with verbs. Collective nouns can be treated as either singular or plural, depending on the context and the writer’s preference. For example, “The team is playing well” uses the singular verb “is” because the team is being treated as a single entity. However, “The team are arguing among themselves” uses the plural verb “are” because the team is being treated as a group of individuals.

Countable and uncountable nouns, on the other hand, always take singular or plural verbs, respectively. For example, “The book is on the shelf” uses the singular verb “is” because “book” is singular. “The chairs are in the living room” uses the plural verb “are” because “chairs” is plural.

In summary, collective nouns refer to a group of individuals as a single entity, countable nouns can be counted and have both singular and plural forms, and uncountable nouns cannot be counted and only have a singular form. Collective nouns can be treated as either singular or plural, while countable and uncountable nouns always take singular or plural verbs, respectively.

Congratulations! You have now learned about collective nouns and how to use them correctly in your writing. Remember that collective nouns refer to a group of people, animals, things, or ideas as a single entity, and they are normally not treated as plural.

When using collective nouns, be mindful of subject-verb agreement. If the collective noun is singular, use a singular verb, and if it is plural, use a plural verb.

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when using collective nouns:

• When in doubt, use a singular verb with a collective noun.
• If the collective noun refers to a specific group of people or things, it can be treated as a singular or plural noun depending on the context.
• Some collective nouns have both singular and plural forms, such as “family” and “families.”
• Avoid using collective nouns in a way that could be confusing or ambiguous. For example, instead of saying “The team are playing well,” say “The members of the team are playing well.”

By using collective nouns correctly, you can make your writing more precise and clear. Keep practicing and soon you will be a collective noun expert!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common examples of collective nouns for animals?

Collective nouns for animals are words that describe groups of animals. Some common examples include a herd of cows, a flock of birds, a pack of wolves, a school of fish, and a swarm of bees.

What are some collective nouns for groups of people?

Collective nouns for groups of people are words that describe groups of individuals. Some common examples include a team of players, a crew of sailors, a choir of singers, a staff of employees, and a jury of peers.

What is the difference between a collective noun and a regular noun?

A collective noun is a word that represents a group of individuals or things as a single entity. A regular noun, on the other hand, refers to a single person, place, thing, or idea. Collective nouns are often used with singular verbs, even though they refer to a group of individuals.

Can you provide some examples of collective nouns for things?

Collective nouns for things are words that describe groups of objects. Some common examples include a fleet of ships, a library of books, a bouquet of flowers, a set of tools, and a collection of art.

How can I use collective nouns in my writing?

Collective nouns can add variety and interest to your writing. They can be used to describe groups of people, animals, or things in a concise and creative way. When using collective nouns, be sure to use the appropriate verb form to match the singular or plural nature of the noun.

What are some creative ways to teach collective nouns to children?

Teaching collective nouns to children can be fun and engaging. Some creative ways to teach collective nouns include playing games like “I Spy” or “Name That Group,” reading books that use collective nouns, and creating art projects that illustrate collective nouns. You can also encourage children to come up with their own collective nouns for groups they encounter in their everyday lives.

Related Posts:

For______of rope, ______of soap, _______ of sand,, jam, sand, salt, sunlight, flour whT will be the collective nounadded before

good question

Wooooooooow………….i really learnt alooot through this topic…………thanks…..lots of love and God bless you all.

what the hwck

This is really useful. Thanks for the effort

there are more than one collective noun pls can u give them

it so easy here n i learned new new collective nouns for my eouy exam of end of year and i am from beaconhouse school system which nowclled as tipu sultan

sorry it is called tipu sultan in pakistan

delisha monga

I really learn lot from this article Thanksssss

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Collective Nouns

What are collective nouns.

Collective nouns are nouns that refer to groups, collections, or a number of people, things, animals, etc. The words “collection” and “group” are actually collective nouns themselves. Here are some other examples of collective nouns in sentences:

• Their team qualified for the regional meet next month.
• The boys were in charge of a large flock of sheep.
• We will appeal to the committee to employ more civilian guards.

As nouns, those that are collective also possess similar properties. They can be general and as specific as they can get. They include common nouns like “ audience “, or proper nouns like “ San Antonio Police .”

Collective nouns are plural by meaning. You can’t have a crowd with just one person or a herd with just one cow. Nevertheless, collective nouns are treated as singular units in most cases and therefore must follow certain grammar rules on subject-verb agreement.

Collective Nouns Rules

Examples of collective nouns.

Below is a list of collective nouns in sample sentences, classified by type:

People Collective Nouns

• There was a formal agreement amongst members of his family .
• Neglect by the airline company was exposed in the video clips.
• The faculty wanted to try riding a team of horses.
• At this point, the Marines are like a litter of dogs.
• This is a story about a terrifying mob in 15th Century London.

Things Collective Nouns

• Two sets  of agreement errors can be found on the first page.
• There’s a bunch of grapes on the table. Please help yourself.
• The company of actors flocked around a stack of costumes.
• He was flabbergasted by a series of tests about abstract nouns.
• There was a 16th Century community called the Army of Herring Village.

Animals Collective Nouns

• My daughter was getting rid of a colony of ants with soda.
• There’s a hive of bees hidden behind the rafters outside.
• It’s fun watching a herd of cattle graze in the grasslands.
• Lindo was startled when a flock of geese rushed towards him.
• I would be swimming if Matilda hadn’t been attacked by a swarm of eels.

Collective Nouns Exercises with Answers

Exercise on collective nouns.

Identify the collective noun found in each of the following sentences. Select the correct word from the choices given.

1. The comedians were inspired to perform because of the cheers from the audience.

a. comedians b. cheers c. audience

2. Lydia’s sons have decided to join the army after they finish school.

a. sons b. army c. school

3. There are still many usable toys in the piles inside the boxes.

a. toys b. piles c. boxes

4. Fifty football players in the league signed the petition.

a. teams b. league c. petition

5. He told us a pack of wolves was near our tent last night.

a. pack b. wolves c. tent

6. Jin gave me a bouquet of various orange flowers on my birthday.

a. bouquet b. flowers c. birthday

7. Most of the students in the drama club were talented.

a. students b. drama c. club

8. There were seven bands in the lineup for tonight’s show.

a. seven b. bands c. line-up

9. Three former cops are the latest additions to the faculty.

a. cops b. additions c. faculty

10. There’s a heap of trash in the backyard now. a. heap b. trash c. backyard

1. c: audience

3. b: piles

4. b: league

6. a: bouquet

8. b: bands

9. c: faculty

10. a: heap

Collective Nouns List

The following table lists collective nouns according to 3 categories:

Advice for ESL Students & English Language Learners

Nouns are often considered the most prolific part of speech in the English language. They are, after all, the names of everyone and everything in the world. But because of its massive volume, mastering their use can be difficult and overwhelming. Luckily for you, there are a few things that can make language study a bit easier, not just with nouns but with every other grammar concept across the vast landscape of English. Consider the following advice to help you reach your desired level of proficiency.

1. Use Grammar Lists

It can be tedious to use grammar tools such as lists, tables, charts, and diagrams. However, fewer materials can function as well in introducing grammatical concepts. Lists can break down grammar subjects into common patterns, formats, and rules, making them easier to understand. Additionally, they usually include real-world sentence examples that are of great use for vocabulary acquisition and sentence construction. Another great thing about lists is you can make your own and customize them to suit your own preferences in learning.

2. Use Audio-Visual Resources

If you are enrolled in a traditional classroom setup, you’ll soon discover that it isn’t enough without independent learning. Self-study is a necessity for all language learners. But often, because self-study is independent of professional guidance, some students develop unproductive or wrong learning habits. An awesome way to maximize self-directed instruction is by making smart choices, and one of those is to incorporate audio-visual tools in your studies, not only books. With English media resources being so prolific, it’s high time to take advantage. Exposure to audio-visual materials is an educational and entertaining way to absorb how English speakers use the language in various contexts. However, acquiring language skills this way requires intention, which means enjoying content with the purpose of learning in mind. 

3. Practical Use

The saying “theory means nothing without practice” is especially true in language learning. Many students who are good at grammar can barely communicate when talking to a native speaker. In most cases, this is because a great deal of their studies is bound in books and not rooted in actual English interactions. The only substantial way to develop fluency is by talking. Granted that most English students don’t live in places where English is spoken all the time; but in the absence of opportunity, you can make one yourself. You can organize a study group with like-minded people or fellow English students. There are plenty of creative ways to make every meeting engaging and productive: interviews, role-play exercises, games, and so on. Cultivate friendships with native and non-native speakers alike. You won’t only learn language but culture as well.

Additionally, it is important for learners to properly understand compound nouns and mass nouns .

Common Errors Made by English Learners

Being aware of the typical errors that English learners make with collective nouns can help you avoid making them. Most students have a hard time figuring out if they’re singular or plural, which often leads to messing up the subject-verb agreement of a sentence. It doesn’t help that some rules are ambiguous and largely depend on the context in which the word is used. Collective nouns normally require singular verbs, but there are some situations where plural verbs are a better fit. Let’s consider the following sentences:

• The screening committee reconvenes to vote on the candidates that passed the interview.
• The screening committee are checking their notes, tallying points, and discussing their observations.

In the first sentence, the committee acts as one group with a single purpose, and the singular verb “reconvenes” is used. In the second sentence, however, they are acting individually. It’s impossible that all committee members are doing all three things at the same time. In this case, the plural verb “are” is more applicable. These decisions should be made when making similar sentences.

Learning Strategies and Best Practices with Collective Nouns

Here are some things to remember that can provide more insight into learning collective nouns more effectively:

Collective Nouns Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. This will depend on which tense you use. Has and have are auxiliary verbs in perfect tenses. If the collective noun is singular, we have to use “has” and use “have” if the collective noun is in its plural form. For example:

– The crew has gone to headquarters to settle some issues. – The crews (meaning many different crews) have gone to headquarters to settle some issues.

There are several words that can be used as collective nouns for eagles. The generic flock and nest  can be used as they are applicable to all kinds of birds. But the word aerie , which is what an eagle’s nest is called, can be used. “An aerie of eagles.” The word  convocation is the preferred word for creative writers.

In American English, the word “set” is commonly used to refer to furniture. You can say “a set of furniture” or “a dining set.” In British English, the word “suite” is more common, as in “a bedroom suite.”

It can be. It’s a collective noun in the sentence “Thai food uses a lot of spices.” In other sentences, it may function as concrete or abstract nouns. Concrete nouns are nouns that you can physically sense, as in “Eat your food .” Abstract nouns are ideas, like in the idiom “food for thought.” 

Mass nouns (also non-count or uncountable nouns) are things that you can’t count or measure such as furniture, salt, sand, water, rice, sugar, coffee, and so on. Collective nouns pertain to groups. Mass nouns have no plural forms and always use singular verbs. Collective nouns can be singular or plural.

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SpeakUp resources

What is a collective noun definition and 100+ examples.

• By Matthew Jones

When speaking English, you probably want to talk about more than just individual things. For example, it’s easy to talk about a particular person, animal, idea, or object — but what happens when you want to talk about groups of things? This is where the collective noun comes into play. So, what is a collective noun? In today’s guide, we will provide a collective noun definition, demonstrate how it is used in sentences, and offer more than 100 examples of collective nouns. Let’s get started!

Collective Noun Definition

A collective noun is a part of speech that refers to a group of things. In fact, the word “group” is an example of a collective noun, though it is not specific to one type of thing. For example, you can talk about a “group of people” or a “group of cars.” Alternatively, most collective nouns refer to very specific things. For this reason, there are many collective nouns that English students will have to learn to expand their vocabulary!

Collective Noun Examples

Since collective nouns can refer to so many different types of things, we will break this list down into groups (no pun intended). Many collective nouns refer to groups of animals, so this will be one of the most important categories to put to memory. In any case, here are more than 100 examples of collective nouns!

Animals (A-F)

Different kinds of animals have some of the most unique and even bizarre collective nouns. Have you ever wanted to know the collective noun for monkeys? Perhaps you’re eager to learn the collective noun for mice? Or even the collective noun for pigs? Well, now’s your chance! Here are some of the most interesting collective nouns of animals:

• Alligators — a congregation
• Anteaters — a candle
• Antelope — a herd
• Ants — a swarm
• Apes — a shrewdness
• Badgers — a cete
• Bats — a colony, cloud or camp
• Bears — a sloth or sleuth
• Beavers — a colony
• Bees — a swarm
• Buffalo — a herd, gang, or obstinacy
• Camels — a caravan
• Cats — a clowder or glaring (adults), a litter or kindle (kittens), or a destruction (wild cats)
• Cheetahs — a coalition
• Chickens — a flock, brood, clutch, or peep
• Cobras — a quiver
• Cows — a herd
• Crabs — a cast
• Crocodiles — a bask
• Crows — a murder
• Deer — a mob
• Dogs — a pack (adults) or litter (puppies)
• Dolphins — a herd, pod, or school
• Donkeys — a drove
• Doves — a dole
• Ducks — a paddling or raft
• Eagles — a convocation
• Elephants — a parade
• Elk — a gang or a herd
• Falcons — a cast
• Ferrets — a business
• Fish — a school
• Flamingos — a stand
• Foxes — a skulk or leash
• Frogs — an army

Animals (G-P)

• Geese — a gaggle
• Giraffes — a tower
• Goats — a flock or trip
• Gorillas — a band
• Guinea Pigs — a herd or muddle
• Hippopotami — a bloat
• Horses — A team, rag (colts), or string (ponies)
• Hyenas — a cackle
• Iguanas — A mess
• Insects — a cloud or swarm
• Jaguars — a shadow
• Jackals — a pack or skulk
• Jellyfish — a smack
• Kangaroos — a troop or mob
• Lemmings — a slice
• Lemurs — a conspiracy
• Leopards — a leap
• Lions — a pride
• Lizards — a lounge
• Lobsters — a pod
• Mice — a mischief
• Moles — a labor
• Monkeys — a barrel or troop
• Mules — a pack
• Otters — a family
• Oxen — a team or yoke
• Owls — a parliament
• Parrots — a pandemonium
• Peacocks — a muster or ostentation
• Pigeons — a kit
• Pigs — a drift or drove (younger pigs), or a sounder or team (older pigs)
• Porcupines — a prickle

Animals (R-Z)

• Rabbits — a herd
• Rats — a colony
• Ravens — an unkindness
• Rhinoceroses — a crash
• Seals — a plump
• Shark — a shiver
• Sheep — a flock or fold
• Skunk — a stench
• Snakes — a nest
• Sparrows — a host
• Squirrels — a dray or scurry
• Stingrays — a fever
• Swans — a bevy or game
• Tigers — an ambush or streak
• Toads — a knot
• Trout — a hover
• Turkeys — a gang or rafter
• Turtles — a bale or nest
• Weasels — a colony, gang, or pack
• Whales — a pod, school, or gam
• Wolves — a pack
• Woodpeckers — a descension
• Zebras — a zeal 

Understanding the Collective Nouns of Animals

Wow, that’s a lot to remember! Fortunately, you don’t have to memorize all of these collective nouns. Most native English speakers do not know half of them. People who do know all of these names probably study animals for a living! In any case, if you can’t remember the collective noun for a particular animal, it is generally acceptable to replace it with the word “group.”

It’s also important to note that there is a lot of crossover between similar species when it comes to collective nouns. For example, groups of dogs, jackals, or wolves can all be known as “packs.” This shows you that most canine-like animal groups are referred to in the same way. Similarly, many groups of large, four-legged animals like buffalo, antelope, cows, and elk can all be called “herds,” while groups of ocean-dwelling creatures like fish, dolphins, and whales can be called “schools.” As you can see, it’s easier to remember many of the correct collective nouns for animals by thinking about the features or characteristics of the species!

Finally, it’s important to note that some animals don’t have collective nouns. This is usually due to the fact that certain species are solitary creatures. In other words, they don’t like to hang out in groups! One of the most common examples is the koala. Koalas tend to spend time by themselves. As a result, there is no official name for more than one koala in a group. Thus, you just have to refer to them as a “group of koalas.”

People can be divided into many different groups based on behaviors and characteristics. So, here are a few common collective nouns for different types of people:

• Audience — a group of people who are watching a show or attending an event in the same place
• Band — a group of musicians
• Board — a group of officials who make decisions on behalf of a business or organization
• Body — a large group of people 
• Bunch — many people, usually gathered closely in one area
• Choir — a large group of singers
• Company — a group of people who make up a commercial organization (business)
• Community — a group of people who live and work in the same area
• Congregation — a group of people who attend a meeting or event, usually on a regular basis; typically associated with religious gatherings
• Class — a group of people who share a social or economic position
• Crew — a group of people who are trained to work together; often associated with sailing
• Crowd — a large group of people in one area
• Ensemble — A group of artists, musicians, or technicians in a given field
• Gang — a small group of friends or associates; commonly associated with criminal activity
• Mob — an unorganized group of people creating chaos or destruction
• Orchestra — a group of musicians who play a combination of wind, string, and percussion instruments
• Panel — a small group of experts or judges
• Posse — A group of people, typically armed with weapons, with a common goal or purpose
• Society — the collective term for all people living together
• Squad — a small group of people trained to achieve a specific goal
• Staff — the employees of a business
• Team — a group of people with a common purpose; often associated with sports or competitions
• Tribe — a group of people who affiliate with each other
• Troupe — a group of artists, usually theater actors

Finally, we’ll look at some common collective nouns for various things:

• Aircraft — a flight or wing
• Apples — a bushel
• Arrows — a quiver
• Bananas — a bunch
• Cars — a fleet
• Cards — a deck (52 cards), pack, or hand
• Computers — a cluster or network
• Diamonds — a cluster
• Flowers — a bunch or bouquet
• Grapes — a bunch
• Mountains — a range
• Objects — a group or collection
• Stairs — a flight
• Stars — a constellation
• Trash — a heap or pile

Collective Noun Exercises

Now that you know some of the most common collective nouns, let’s put that knowledge to use! Below you’ll find some sentences on a range of topics. Your job is to find the collective nouns! 

• Which sentence contains a collective noun?
• A. I saw a man staring at the televisions in the store window.
• B. I swear that a gaggle of geese just flew by my window!
• C. Could you show me where I can find all of the mice?
• Which one of the following sentences contains a collective noun?
• A. She wanted to visit all of the museums.
• B. I think badgers are really cute!
• C. They were not looking forward to cleaning up the trash pile.
• Which sentence has more than one collective noun?
• A. The band continued to play even as the choir stopped singing.
• B. We never expected to see a pack of wolves near our house.
• C. Would you prefer a bunch of grapes or a piece of watermelon?

As you might have noticed, many collective nouns use “of” to signify the type of thing that they are referring to. For example, you might hear about “a congregation of people” or “a network of computers.” However, this is not always the case. Sometimes, collective nouns can work on their own or be turned into noun phrases. For example, you might hear about “an orchestra” or “a diamond cluster.” In short, collective nouns are very versatile!

Collective Noun-Verb Agreement

Finally, you’ll need to know how to conjugate verbs when using collective nouns. Generally, collective nouns are treated as singular. For example:

• A bushel of apples fell off the truck.
• A pride of lions was approaching the vehicle.
• The legislative body will vote on the bill today.
• The trumpet ensemble sounds incredible!

In American English, you almost always treat collective nouns as singular. However, British English takes a different approach. In British English, when a sentence refers to the actions of a group as a whole, then you should treat the collective noun as singular. Alternatively, if it refers to the actions of individual members or parts of a group, then you use the plural form of the verb. For example:

• *Individual members have requested a new song, though it’s unclear if every member of the choir agrees. Therefore, you can treat the choir as plural.
• *The wolves are each running in different directions (acting as many individuals), therefore you can refer to the pack as plural.
• *Like the choir, it’s unclear if the entire committee or only some members of the committee are in agreement. In any case, if you treat the committee as plural, you must also use “their” instead of the singular pronoun “its.”

Since the rules vary in American and British English, you are free to choose either style. Just remember to use the correct pronouns when referring back to the subject!

The collective noun is an important part of English. It can help you describe specific groups of animals, people, and things. While it’s easy to use simple collective nouns like “group” to refer to everything, it won’t help you expand your vocabulary. By memorizing some (or even all) of the collective nouns above, you can greatly improve your English speaking and writing!

If you’d like to hear native English speakers using collective nouns in everyday speech, be sure to subscribe to the Magoosh Youtube channel or join our Facebook Group today!

Matthew Jones

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[21] Baffling With Words: Decoding the Fascinating World of Collective Nouns

Collective nouns are words that are used to describe groups of people, animals, or things. These nouns are unique because they represent a single entity or concept, despite referring to multiple individuals or objects. They help in simplifying language and provide a convenient way to address groups as a whole.

Moreover, collective nouns are known for their ability to convey a sense of unity and togetherness. They paint a vivid picture of a collective body and encapsulate the essence of cooperation and community. For example, referring to a flock of birds, a herd of cows, or a team of players, creates an image of cohesion and organization.

These nouns often take a singular form and are usually followed by a singular verb. However, grammatically, they may sometimes be used with plural verbs depending on whether the emphasis is on the group as a unit or on the individual members within it.

Collective nouns can be classified into different categories:

1. Animal collectives: Examples include a pack of wolves, a pride of lions, a flock of birds, or a swarm of bees. These vivid descriptions help portray the behavior, adaptation, or characteristics of different animal species.

2. Group nouns for people: These describe gatherings or organizations of people. Examples include a committee of experts, a team of athletes, a class of students, or a network of friends. These terms reflect the purpose, role, or affiliation of the group members.

3. Object collectives: These are used to describe a collection or a grouping of inanimate objects. For instance, a group of books could be called a library, a collection of guns could be referred to as an arsenal, or several ships together could be called a fleet. These classifications highlight the utility or nature of the objects involved.

4. Term of venery: Also known as terms for groups of game animals, this category encompasses poetic and archaic expressions. Examples include a murder of crows, a pack of hounds, or a parliament of owls. These playful terms were developed and popularized through hunting and heraldry.

In conclusion, collective nouns are essential linguistic components that add color and variety to our everyday communication. They help us describe and encapsulate the dynamics of communities, groups, or assemblies, and facilitate clear and concise expressions related to collective entities.

Assignment Of Homework

Assignment of Homework is a collective noun phrase that refers to the activity or process of distributing or allocating academic tasks to students outside of school hours. It encompasses the action of teachers or educators assigning various exercises, pro...

"The teacher announced that the assignment of homework would be extended for an extra hour due to the complexity of the task."

Batch Of Homework

A batch of homework refers to a collection or group of individual homework assignments, usually given by educators to students with the intent to reinforce and assess the understanding of academic material. It encompasses an assortment of tasks and exerci...

"The teacher assigned a large batch of homework to the students over the weekend."

Book Of Homework

A Book of Homework refers to a gathering or compilation of various tasks and assignments that pertain to academic subjects, typically given by teachers for students to complete outside of school hours. As a collective noun phrase, it showcases the diverse...

"The Book of Homework is due next week, so make sure to finish your assignments."

Bundle Of Homework

A bundle of homework refers to a collection or grouping of various academic tasks or assignments encompassing different subjects and topics. Just as a bundle typically implies a tightly packaged ensemble, this collective noun phrase represents the numerou...

"The teacher handed out a bundle of homework to each student."

Collection Of Homework

A collection of homework refers to a specific grouping or assemblage of various academic assignments and tasks given to students by teachers or educators. It represents a comprehensive compilation of literary, mathematical, scientific, artistic, or theore...

"The teacher kept a neat collection of homework on her desk, organized by day and class."

Coursework Of Homework

The collective noun phrase Coursework of Homework refers to a group of academic tasks and assignments that students regularly undertake during their studies. It denotes the entirety of the work and projects assigned by teachers or professors, both in clas...

"The coursework of homework assigned to us over the weekend was overwhelming."

Folder Of Homework

A folder of homework refers to a collection or grouping of various academic assignments, exercises, or projects that are saved or organized within a single folder. This collective noun phrase emerged from the common practice of students keeping their assi...

"The teacher collected the folder of homework from the students."

Heap Of Homework

A heap of homework is a vivid expression used to describe a large quantity or an overwhelming accumulation of school assignments, projects, or tasks that a student is required to complete. Symbolizing the tangible weight and quantity of the work involved,...

"There was a heap of homework waiting for me on my desk when I got home from school."

Load Of Homework

A load of homework is a collective noun phrase that refers to a considerable or significant amount of homework. It conveys the idea of a large quantity or volume of academic tasks that students are required to complete outside of school hours. This phrase...

"My backpack feels heavier than usual with this load of homework."

Marathon Of Homework

A Marathon of Homework refers to the overwhelming quantity or extensive period of time dedicated to completing multiple tasks or assignments related to educational work, usually within a specific subject, discipline, or school year. This collective noun p...

"After a long weekend, I am faced with a marathon of homework that needs to be completed by tomorrow."

Some of these collective noun phrases are traditional, while others showcase a touch of creativity. Choose the one that best fits your narrative or discussion.

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Do you think you know your collective nouns? Take our fun and educational collective nouns quiz to find out!

Discover fascinating collective nouns for animals, people, things, and more. Challenge your friends and family to see who can score the highest!

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Collective Nouns Starting With A, B, C...

Select a letter to view all the collective nouns that start with that letter.

'A' has an "Argument of Wizards". 'B' has a "Blessing of Unicorns". 'C' has a "Charm of Hummingbirds".

Discover & share them all with your friends! They'll be impressed. Enjoy!

Collective Nouns By Grade Level

By grade 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th

What Is Collective Noun? Definitions, Rules & Examples

Have you ever heard of collective nouns? These are unique type of noun that refers to a group of people, animals, or things. Collective nouns can be confusing, but once you understand the rules, they become easy to use. In this article, we will discuss the definitions, rules, and examples of collective nouns.

Table of Contents

What Is a Collective Noun?

A collective noun is a type of noun that refers to a group of people, animals, or things. It is a singular noun that represents a collection of individuals or things. Collective nouns are used to simplify language and make it easier to refer to groups of people, animals, or things.

Definitions of Collective Noun

A collective noun is defined as a noun that denotes a group of people, animals, or things. It is a singular noun that represents a group of individuals or things. Some common examples of collective nouns include:

• A herd of cows
• A flock of birds
• A team of players
• A pack of wolves
• A swarm of bees

Rules of Collective Noun

There are several rules to remember when using collective nouns. These rules help to ensure that the collective noun is used correctly in a sentence. Here are some important rules to keep in mind:

• Collective nouns can be singular or plural. When using a collective noun as the subject of a sentence, you must determine whether the group is acting as a single entity or as separate individuals. For example:
• The team is playing well. (The team is acting as a single entity.)
• The team are arguing with each other. (The team is acting as separate individuals.)
• Collective nouns can be modified by both singular and plural adjectives. The choice of adjective will depend on whether the group is acting as a single entity or as separate individuals. For example:
• The herd of cows is grazing in the field. (The herd is acting as a single entity.)
• The herd of cows are all different colors. (The cows are acting as separate individuals.)
• Collective nouns can be used with singular or plural verbs. The choice of verb will depend on whether the group is acting as a single entity or as separate individuals. For example:
• The flock of birds is flying south for the winter. (The flock is acting as a single entity.)
• The flock of birds are fighting over the food. (The birds are acting as separate individuals.)

Examples of Collective Nouns

Here are some examples of collective nouns in use:

• A school of fish
• A colony of ants
• A troupe of dancers
• A gang of thieves
• A fleet of ships
• A congregation of worshippers

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Q. Can a collective noun be both singular and plural? A. Yes, collective nouns can be either singular or plural depending on whether the group is acting as a single entity or as separate individuals.
• Q. How can I tell if a collective noun is acting as a single entity or as separate individuals? A. You can tell by the verb used in the sentence. If the verb is singular, the collective noun is acting as a single entity. If the verb is plural, the collective noun is acting as separate individuals.
• Q. What is the purpose of using collective nouns? A. Collective nouns simplify language by allowing us to refer to groups of people, animals, or things in a single word.

Collective nouns are an important part of the English language. They allow us to refer to groups of people, animals, or things in a single word, making language easier to use and understand. By following the rules of collective nouns, we can ensure that we use them correctly in our writing and speech.

Remember to choose the right adjective and verb depending on whether the collective noun is acting as a single entity or separate individuals. With practice, using collective nouns will become second nature.

In summary, collective nouns are a type of noun that refer to a group of people, animals, or things. They can be singular or plural depending on the context of the sentence. By understanding the rules and examples of collective nouns, we can improve our communication and writing skills. So, the next time you encounter a collective noun, you will know exactly how to use it correctly!

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• What Is a Collective Noun? | Examples & Definition

What Is a Collective Noun? | Examples & Definition

Published on 31 August 2022 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on 23 May 2023.

A collective noun is a noun that refers to some sort of group or collective – of people, animals, things, etc. Collective nouns are normally not treated as plural , even though they refer to a group of something.

Collective nouns include common nouns like ‘group’ and proper nouns like ‘Google’ or ‘The Rolling Stones’.

A flock of sheep is crossing the road, delaying motorists.

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Table of contents

Are collective nouns singular or plural, collective nouns for animals, examples of collective nouns, frequently asked questions about collective nouns.

Collective nouns are most commonly treated as singular (i.e., used with singular verb forms like ‘is’), but usage varies between US and UK English :

• In US English, it’s standard to always treat collective nouns as singular.
• In UK English, either way is acceptable, and usage tends to vary depending on the context.

US English: Always singular

In US English, it’s regarded as incorrect to use a plural verb form with a collective noun. This doesn’t mean that people never do so, but it would be against the rules of most American style guides.

In formal and academic writing , therefore, you should be careful to treat collective nouns as singular, even when they are plural in appearance (e.g., some band names).

UK English: Context-dependent

In UK English, usage is more varied, and both styles are generally seen as acceptable. In practice , the plural form tends to be used quite often when the emphasis is on the individual members of a group acting separately, or when the noun is plural in appearance.

It’s still a good idea to be consistent about how you treat each term, though. For example, it would read strangely to treat the word ‘company’ as singular in one sentence and plural in the next.

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Many collective nouns are very general in their usage (e.g., you can refer to a ‘group’ of just about anything), but there are also much more specific collective nouns, particularly for different types of animals. These terms are used on their own or with the animal specified (e.g., ‘pack of dogs’).

These nouns range from the conventional to the poetic and unusual. The more surprising ones tend not to be used very often in practice, except to comment on their strangeness. Some examples are shown in the table below.

The table below shows a selection of collective nouns used to label animals, people, things, and organisations.

A collective noun is any noun that is used to name a group of something (people, animals, things, etc.). ‘Group’ is one very common collective noun. Collective nouns can be common nouns (like ‘group’) or proper nouns (like ‘Google’ and other company names).

Collective nouns are most commonly treated as singular (e.g., ‘the herd is grazing’), but usage differs between US and UK English :

• In US English, it’s standard to treat all collective nouns as singular, even when they are plural in appearance (e.g., ‘The Rolling Stones is …’). Using the plural form is usually seen as incorrect.
• In UK English, collective nouns can be treated as singular or plural depending on context. It’s quite common to use the plural form, especially when the noun looks plural (e.g., ‘The Rolling Stones are …’).

Common nouns are words for types of things, people, and places, such as ‘dog’, ‘professor’, and ‘city’. They are not capitalised and are typically used in combination with articles and other determiners.

Proper nouns are words for specific things, people, and places, such as ‘Max’, ‘Dr Prakash’, and ‘London’. They are always capitalised and usually aren’t combined with articles and other determiners.

Sources for this article

We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.

Caulfield, J. (2023, May 23). What Is a Collective Noun? | Examples & Definition. Scribbr. Retrieved 22 April 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/nouns/collective-noun/

Aarts, B. (2011).  Oxford modern English grammar . Oxford University Press.

Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015).  Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage  (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Garner, B. A. (2016).  Garner’s modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

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Collective Nouns

Collective Nouns introduces students to nouns that represent groups of people or things. Students will learn how to identify these nouns and distinguish between them and singular nouns.

The “Options for Lesson” section provides several suggestions for additional activities you could do for the lesson. One option is to have students create a poster for all the phrases in the activity. Another is to conduct a “collective noun bee” in which students will say a sentence using the announced collective noun. You could also collect images online that show groups of people or things and have students name the collective noun that is associated with that picture.

Description

Additional information, what our collective nouns lesson plan includes.

Lesson Objective and Overview: Collective Nouns teaches students how to identify and correctly use collective nouns. Students will learn how to define and then distinguish these nouns from singular nouns. The lesson material and worksheets will provide them with a lot of practice to solidify their grasp of the concepts. This lesson is for students in 2nd grade.

Classroom Procedure

Every lesson plan provides you with a classroom procedure page that outlines a step-by-step guide to follow. You do not have to follow the guide exactly. The guide helps you organize the lesson and details when to hand out worksheets. It also lists information in the green box that you might find useful. You will find the lesson objectives, state standards, and number of class sessions the lesson should take to complete in this area. In addition, it describes the supplies you will need as well as what and how you need to prepare beforehand. You will need the following supplies for this lesson: colored pencils, markers, internet access, drawing paper, scratch paper, and the handouts. To prepare for this lesson ahead of time, you can pair students for the activity, gather the supplies, and copy the handouts.

Options for Lesson

Included with this lesson is an “Options for Lesson” section that lists a number of suggestions for activities to add to the lesson or substitutions for the ones already in the lesson. One option is to have students create a poster for all the phrases in the activity. Another is to conduct a “Collective Noun Bee” in which students will say a sentence using the announced collective noun. You could also collect images online that show groups of people or things and have students name the collective noun that is associated with that picture. Finally, you can have students identify the collective nouns in text from content from other subject areas for additional practice.

Teacher Notes

The teacher notes page includes a paragraph with additional guidelines and things to think about as you begin to plan your lesson. It notes that while students are likely aware of what nouns are in general, they may not know what collective nouns are specifically. This page also includes lines that you can use to add your own notes as you’re preparing for this lesson.

COLLECTIVE NOUNS LESSON PLAN CONTENT PAGES

The Collective Nouns lesson contains three pages of content. The first page introduces the concept of nouns that represent groups of things. We generally use nouns to identify people, places, or things. Common nouns are words like boy , cat , and chair . Proper nouns are words like John , California , and White House . We capitalize proper nouns. We use nouns in almost every single sentence!

Collective nouns are a type of noun that names groups made up of members. They usually refer to people. An example of a collective noun is the word class , because a class is made up of a group of people. Collective nouns always refer to more than one person or thing. The word family is also an example of a collective noun.

Next, the lesson includes a table of 24 different collective nouns, such as army , tribe , firm , class , and school . It asks students to think about why each of these words are collective nouns. All of the examples in the table include more than one member! An army has multiple soldiers, for example.

Students will then learn that we use specific collective nouns to represent many types of animals. For instance, we call multiple birds a flock and a group of lions a pride of lions. The lesson includes 12 examples of the different words we use for groups of animals.

Using Collective Nouns

Next, students will learn how to use collective nouns. When using them, you must make sure to use the correct verbs and pronouns. The verbs that you use with a noun change depending on whether the noun is singular or plural. The lesson provides two example sentences to illustrate this, one of which has the phrase dog is and the other has the phrase dogs are . This shows that the verb (in this case, is or are ) changes depending on whether the noun is dog (singular) or dogs (plural).

A collective noun can be either singular or plural, depending on how we use them in a sentence. A group of people or things make up collective nouns. It’s possible that that group will all act the same way. In this case, the collective noun would be singular. The lesson provides examples using the collective noun class . It is singular in these examples because the whole class is doing or thinking the same thing. The examples use the singular verbs follows and was because of the singular noun.

The lesson then provides examples of the same noun, class, being used as a plural collective noun. The example uses the plural verb start.  The lesson notes that plural collective nouns can sometimes be confusing, and suggests adding another word to help show that the collective noun is plural. For example, instead of using the plural class on its own, you could use the phrase class members .

We use collective nouns to name groups made up of members (typically people). We sometimes use them for objects or things as well, such as a bunch of bananas . Using the correct verbs with collective nouns is very important, as they can be either singular or plural. Practice using and identifying collective nouns will help make students better readers and writers!

COLLECTIVE NOUNS LESSON PLAN WORKSHEETS

The Collective Nouns lesson plan includes three worksheets: an activity worksheet, a practice worksheet, and a homework assignment. You can refer to the guide on the classroom procedure page to determine when to hand out each worksheet.

NOUN PHRASE POSTER ACTIVITY

Students will work with a partner for the activity worksheet. They will create a poster that shows how to use a collective noun. They can draw pictures or gather images online or from other sources. The poster must include pictures for at least 10 phrases from the table of choices on the worksheet. They can use the blank box at the bottom of the page for a rough draft, and can then create their final poster. They must also title the poster.

Students can work either alone or in larger groups for this activity if you’d prefer.

CIRCLE THE NOUN PRACTICE WORKSHEET

The practice worksheet is split into two sections. The first section requires students to read 15 sentences and circle the collective noun in each. The second section requires students to use each collective noun listed in a sentence.

COLLECTIVE NOUNS HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

The homework assignment is divided into three parts. For the first part, students must choose the correct verb in each sentence for the singular collective noun. The second part requires them to use the words in the word bank to complete 10 sentences. The final section requires that they use each given phrase in a sentence.

Worksheet Answer Keys

This lesson plan includes answer keys for the practice worksheet and the homework assignment. No answer key is provided for the activity worksheet, as each pair’s poster will differ.  If you choose to administer the lesson pages to your students via PDF, you will need to save a new file that omits these pages. Otherwise, you can simply print out the applicable pages and keep these as reference for yourself when grading assignments.

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• Collective Nouns

Collective Nouns - Definition and Examples

Band, pride, fleet? Ever heard of collective nouns? Collective nouns are words that are used to denote a group of people, animals or things. This article will help you with an in-depth understanding of collective nouns, the definition and examples.

Table of Contents

Collective noun definition, examples of collective nouns, collective noun examples used in sentences, test your knowledge on collective nouns, frequently asked questions on collective nouns, what is a collective noun.

A collective noun is a naming word used to refer to a group or number of animals, people or things. One thing you should remember when you use collective nouns in sentences is to use the right form of the verb .

The Collins Dictionary defines collective nouns as “a noun such as ‘family’ or ‘team’ that refers to a group of people or things”. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a collective noun is defined as “a noun such as ‘team’ or ‘flock’ that refers to a group of people or things”.

Here are some examples of collective nouns.

Collective Nouns for Animals

• Collective noun for bees – Swarm
• Collective noun for fish – Shoal or School
• Collective noun for sheep – Herd
• Collective noun for ships – Fleet
• Collective noun for birds – Flock
• Collective noun for lions – Pride
• Collective noun for wolves – Pack
• Collective noun for ants – Colony

Collective Nouns for People

• Collective noun for actors – Troupe, Company or Cast
• Collective noun for soldiers – Army
• Collective noun for musicians – Band
• Collective noun for warriors – Troop
• Collective noun for directors – Board
• Collective noun for sailors – Crew
• Collective noun for singers – Choir
• Collective noun for dancers – Group
• Collective noun for thieves – Pack
• Collective noun for players – Team
• Collective noun for delegates – Delegation
• Collective noun for judges – Panel or Bench

Collective Nouns for Objects/Things

• Collective noun for cards – Deck/Pack
• Collective noun for cigarettes – Packet
• Collective noun for mountains – Range
• Collective noun for apples – Bushel
• Collective noun for bananas – Comb
• Collective noun for grapes – Bunch
• Collective noun for flowers – Bunch or Bouquet
• Collective noun for trees – Grove or Forest
• Collective noun for baboons
• Collective noun for cars
• Collective noun for crows
• Collective noun for dogs
• Collective noun for hay
• Collective noun for lions
• Collective noun for pearls
• Collective noun for penguins

Have a look at the following sentences.

• Tommy was excited to see a herd of elephants on the way to his native place.
• The bench of judges gave the verdict on the case.
• The kid enjoyed seeing the flock of pigeons take off all at once.
• The football team was congratulated by the principal.
• The mob was getting crazier with time.
• The event started with the band playing the school anthem.
• The children learnt how to perform a magic trick with a pack of cards pretty soon.
• The British army was defeated in World War II.

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate collective nouns:

• A ____________ of cows
• A ____________ of robbers
• A ____________ of musicians
• A ____________ of kittens
• A ____________ of puppies
• A ____________ of cattle
• A ____________ of rumours
• A ____________ of clams
• A ____________ of sharks
• A ____________ of hamsters

Why don’t you check if you got it all right?

• A herd of cows
• A gang of robbers
• A band of musicians
• A kindle of kittens
• A litter of puppies
• A herd of cattle
• A nest of rumours
• A bed of clams
• A shiver of sharks
• A horde of hamsters

What is a collective noun?

A collective noun is a naming word used to refer to a group or number of animals, people or things. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a collective noun is defined as “a noun such as ‘team’ or ‘flock’ that refers to a group of people or things”.

Give some examples of collective nouns.

A swarm of bees, a fleet of ships, a flock of birds, a company of actors, a bunch of grapes and a litter of puppies are some examples of collective nouns.

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All Collective Nouns

What is the Collective Noun for Homework?

Homework is more than just assignments; it’s a journey through learning. But did you know that even homework can be grouped into collective nouns? These special terms help us talk about homework in a bulk or grouped form, making our language richer and more precise. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of collective nouns specifically tailored for homework.

Collective Noun for Homework

Detailed explanations and examples for homework, 1. stack of homework.

When we say a “stack of homework,” we’re picturing a neat pile of papers or assignments. This could be anything from worksheets to essays, all neatly arranged.

• Example: After school, Jamie tackled a stack of homework on her desk, starting with algebra.
• Example: The teacher handed out a stack of homework for the holiday break.
• Example: Every student had a stack of homework to complete by Monday.

2. Bundle of Homework

A “bundle of homework” suggests a collection of different assignments grouped together. It might be a mix of subjects or project parts.

• Example: Over the weekend, Leo had a bundle of homework that included a book report and a science project.
• Example: The teacher prepared a bundle of homework packets for the snow day.
• Example: Mia organized her bundle of homework by subject to stay on top of her studies.

3. Heap of Homework

• Example: After being sick for a week, Noah faced a heap of homework to catch up on.
• Example: There was a heap of homework on the table waiting for Emma’s attention.
• Example: The heap of homework seemed daunting at first, but with a plan, it became manageable.

4. Load of Homework

The term “load of homework” is used to describe a very large amount of homework, emphasizing its weight as a burden.

• Example: The students groaned when they saw the load of homework assigned over the holiday.
• Example: Sam had a load of homework that took the entire Sunday to complete.
• Example: A load of homework meant that Lily had to prioritize her time wisely.

5. Batch of Homework

A “batch of homework” refers to a set of assignments given out at the same time, often for a specific purpose or project.

• Example: The batch of homework for the science fair was challenging but exciting.
• Example: Mr. Thompson handed out a batch of homework that would prepare the class for the finals.
• Example: The batch of homework included a mix of reading, writing, and math exercises.

Collective nouns for homework bring a playful twist to discussing education and assignments. Whether it’s a stack, bundle, heap, load, or batch, these terms provide a vivid way to express the quantity and sometimes the burden of homework. By understanding and using these collective nouns, students can more accurately describe their academic workload and tackle their assignments with a better perspective. Remember, no matter how big the stack or heavy the load, every piece of homework is a step towards learning and growth.

Quiz on Collective Nouns for Homework

• A) Bundle of homework
• B) Stack of homework
• C) Heap of homework
• D) Load of homework
• A) Batch of homework
• B) Bundle of homework
• C) Stack of homework
• A) Heap of homework
• C) Bundle of homework
• D) Batch of homework
• A) Load of homework
• B) Heap of homework
• D) Bundle of homework
• C) Load of homework
• D) Heap of homework
• A stack of homework refers to a neat pile of papers or assignments.
• A bundle of homework suggests a collection of different assignments grouped together.
• A heap of homework implies a large, possibly disorganized, pile of assignments.
• The term load of homework is used to describe a very large amount of homework, emphasizing its weight as a burden.
• A batch of homework refers to a set of assignments given out at the same time, often for a specific purpose or project.

Hope you enjoyed the quiz and learned something new!

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collective noun

Definition of collective noun

Examples of collective noun in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'collective noun.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Cite this Entry

“Collective noun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collective%20noun. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

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Appendix : English collective nouns

Here is a list of collective nouns by subject .

A collective noun is a special kind of noun that refers to a collection of objects—often animals—such as a flock of birds, or a pride of lions.

In the lists which follow, terms marked with a + belong to the 15th-century list of " proper terms " contained in the Book of St Albans . Many of these are fanciful or humorous terms which have never had any real currency, but have been taken up by various antiquarian writers. [1]

• collective noun
• noun of assemblage
• noun of multitude
• Appendix:Animals
• ^ Oxford Reference Dictionary , Oxford University Press, 1986.
• ^ shrewdness. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved November 29, 2006, from Dictionary.com website [1]
• ^ cete. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved November 29, 2006, from Dictionary.com website [2]
• ^ sloth. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved November 29, 2006, from Dictionary.com website [3]
• ^ sounder. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved November 29, 2006, from Dictionary.com website [4]
• ^ “ clowder ”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged , Dictionary.com, LLC , 1995–present.
• ^ “ pack ”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged , Dictionary.com, LLC , 1995–present.
• ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 pod. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved November 29, 2006, from Dictionary.com website [5]
• ^ skulk. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved November 29, 2006, from Dictionary.com website [6]
• ^ trip. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved November 29, 2006, from Dictionary.com website [7]
• ^ “San Diego Zoo's Got Questions? Animal Group Names”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name) ‎ [8] , 2008 January 19 (last accessed)
• ^ stable. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved November 29, 2006, from Dictionary.com website [9]
• ^ team. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved November 29, 2006, from Dictionary.com website [10]
• ^ “ kindle ”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged , Dictionary.com, LLC , 1995–present.
• ^ pride. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved November 29, 2006, from Dictionary.com website [11]
• ^ punnet. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved November 29, 2006, from Dictionary.com website [12]
• ^ team. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved November 29, 2006, from Dictionary.com website [13]
• ^ “ farrow ”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged , Dictionary.com, LLC , 1995–present.
• ^ string. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved November 29, 2006, from Dictionary.com website [14]
• ^ “ litter ”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged , Dictionary.com, LLC , 1995–present.
• ^ school. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved November 29, 2006, from Dictionary.com website [15]
• ^ rout. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved November 29, 2006, from Dictionary.com website [16]

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Collective Noun for Bees

What is a group of bees called.

hive of bees

Other Words for a Group of Bees

What type of word is "hive", "hive is" or "hive are".

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