Collective Nouns - Definition and Examples

Collective nouns, like other types of nouns, are very common in English. Learn definition of collective noun with examples in this post. This article describes collective nouns in details. 

We've covered:

• Collective noun definition and examples
• Collective Nouns Examples
• Rules of Collective Nouns
• Collective Nouns List
• Collective noun for cat, dog, monkey, etc.
• Collective Noun Exercises
• FAQs - Collective Nouns 

Collective Noun: Definition and Examples

Merriam-Webster defines collective noun as "A noun such as "team" or "flock" that refers to a group of people or things.".

Cambridge Dictionary defines collective noun as "A noun that describes a group of things or people as a unit." and illustrates it with examples "family" and "flock" are examples of collective nouns.".

From the above-mentioned definitions, we can conclude that:

• A collective noun is a type of noun.
• A collective noun refers to a group of people or things.
• As the group of people or things is taken as a whole, a collective noun is usually treated as singular.  

Collective Nouns Examples

• Group
• Swarm 
• Army
• Troop 
• Herd
• Fleet 
• Shoal 
• Pack
• Colony 
• Pride 
• Heap

Examples of Collective Nouns in Sentences

a. We saw a class of students sitting in front of the department. 

b. Our team is ready to play.

c. A jury of judges rendered that verdict.

d. An army was approaching the border.

e. We saw a pride of lions in the field.

Types of Collective Nouns

Based on what they refer to, collective nouns can be categorized into the following types. 

• Collective nouns referring to people: A jury of judges, an army of soldiers, a band of musicians, a bevy of women, a board of directors, a stack of librarians, a choir of singers, an audience of listeners, a team of players, etc. 
• Collective nouns referring to animals: An army of ants, a cloud of insects, a flock of sheep, a flight of birds, a drove of horses, a catch of fish, a herd of cows and bulls, a kennel of dogs, a brood of hens, etc. 
• Collective nouns referring to things: An album of photos, a basket of fruits, a bowl of rice, a pile of money, a bunch of keys, a grove of trees, a pair of shoes, a fleet of ships, a bouquet of flowers, a collection of coins, etc. 

Rules of Collective Nouns

Are collective nouns singular or plural? Should we use a singular or plural verb form with them? How are collective nouns used in English? There's no clear-cut one-to-all answer to these questions, as "audience is or are", "the team is or are" and "the committee is or are" can be correct or incorrect depending on the context. 

However, there are some points which, if you keep them in mind, will help you choose the right form (singular or plural) of the verb when using collective nouns. If you keep in mind the below-given points, they will help you avoid the confusion as to what form of verb to use.

1. Use word like "members" with collective nouns (where possible) so as to avoid the confusion. 

Examples: 

a. Our team members are ready to play. (Instead of the team is)

b. My family members are going to attend a wedding. (Instead of my family is)

c. The committee members have already talked about the issue. (Instead of the committee is)

 

2. In case you want to use the collective noun itself, look if there's a sense of individuality or collectivity (if the collective noun implies the individual or whole). Use a plural verb when the collective noun is taken as individuals and use a singular verb if it's taken as a whole.

Examples:

a. A jury of judges has rendered that impartial verdict. 

The fact that each of the judges has collectively contributed to giving that verdict indicates that the judges here are taken as a whole (collectivity); therefore, a singular verb is used.

b. The jury of judges are divided in their opinions. 

In this sentence, there's a sense of individuality that each member of the jury of judges is taken as individual (individuality). Because each member of the jury of judges is acting individually, it requires a plural verb. 

3. In American English, a collective noun is almost always is singular. That is, you need to use a singular verb. On the other hand, in British English, a collective noun is both singular and plural depending again on the context.

Examples: 

Correct: My family is going to attend a marriage function. (American English)

Incorrect: My family are going to attend a marriage function. (American English)

Correct: My family is going to attend a marriage function. (British English)

Incorrect: My family are going to attend a marriage function. (British English)

Correct: The team is fighting. (American English)

Incorrect: The team are fighting. (American English)

Correct: The team is fighting. (British English)

Incorrect: The team are fighting. (British English)

Correct: The team are fighting among themselves. (British English)

4. Some of collective nouns can be plural. In such case, you need to use a plural verb always.

Examples: 

a. The teams are ready to play. (different teams)

b. Several families have attended John's wedding party.  

Collective Nouns List

• a jury of judges
• an army of soldiers
• a band of musicians 
• a bevy of women
• a board of directors
• a stack of librarians
• a choir of singers
• an audience of listeners
• a team of players
• an army of ants 
• a cloud of insects
• a flock of sheep
• a flight of birds
• a drove of horses
• a catch of fish
• a herd of cows and bulls
• a kennel of dogs
• a brood of hens 
• an album of photos 
• a basket of fruits
• a bowl of rice
• a pile of money
• a bunch of keys
• a grove of trees
• a pair of shoes
• a fleet of ships
• a bouquet of flowers
• a collection of coins

Collective Noun Exercises with Answers

Q1. Identify the collective nouns used in the following sentences.

a. I saw a bouquet of flowers put on the table.

b. A group of people was discussing some topic sitting on the ground. 

c. The committee has given such a wonderful verdict.

Q2. Decide which form of verb should be used in the following sentences, singular or plural.

a. The committee..........divided in their opinions.

b. The teams...........ready to play.

c. The team...........fighting among themselves.

d. The team.........fighting.

e. My family members........going.

Answer keys 1: 

a. a bouquet of flowers

b. a group of people 

c. the committee

Answer keys 2:

a. are 

b. are 

c. are 

d. is 

e. are

FAQs - Collective Nouns

What is the definition of a collective noun?

A collective noun refers to a group of people, animals or things as in a team of players, a group of people, a herd of cows and a bouquet of flowers.

Are collective nouns singular or plural?

In American English, a collective noun is almost always singular, while in British English, a collective noun can be both singular and plural depending on the context.