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!!

• Red Book pg. 86 • Write the collective noun.

• Tell singular or plural.

• Tell how you know.