Collective Nouns
Objective: to identify, to use as
singular and plural, to use
collectives correctly in sentences
What are collective nouns?
• A collective noun refers to a group that is
made up of individuals.
• These individuals are usually people,
animals, or things.
• Examples: herd of sheep
•
class of students
Singular or plural?
• A collective noun can be singular or plural,
depending on the meaning of the noun.
• If you speak about the group as a unit, then the
collective noun is singular.
– The crowd cheers the passing parade.
• If you speak about the individuals members of
the group, then the noun is plural in meaning.
– The crowd move to their favorite spots along the
parade route.
How to tell the difference:
• In order to decide if a collective noun has a
singular or plural meaning, think about how the
words are used or what they mean.
– For example, is the group working together, or it
individuals who just happen to be in a group?
• It can also help to look in the sentence for clue
words that will define the noun as singular or
plural.
– For example: it, their, they, his/her, our
Hot Tip!!
• In order to help decide meaning, substitute!
• Use the words “it, he, or she” for the collective
noun. If the sentence still makes sense, it is
singular.
• If it doesn’t work, try to substitute “they” for
the collective noun. If the sentence now works,
then the meaning is plural.
– The team works on its project.
– The team work on their separate projects.
Remember !!!
• It = singular
• They = plural
Find each collective noun and label as
singular or plural & tell how you know.
1. The swim team travels to Plano once a
month.
2. The marching band buy their own
instruments.
3. The ant colony stores food for the long
winter.
4. The class present their speeches.
5. The crowd wants to hear another song.
You try it!!
Write the collective noun and label as singular or plural.
Tell how you know.
1. The art committee vote for their favorite
painting.
2. The crew works seven days a week.
3. The group drive separately to the
performance.
4. The congregation holds a garage sale for
charity.
5. The Ramirez family wants to move to
Alaska.
You practice!!
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Red Book pg. 86
Write the collective noun.
Tell singular or plural.
Tell how you know.