Collective noun
A collective noun is a type of noun that refers to a group or collection of people, animals, or things as a singular unit. It represents a single entity made up of multiple individuals or objects. Collective nouns are used to describe a group acting as a whole.
Here are some key points to understand about collective nouns:
Grouping of Entities: Collective nouns refer to a collection of individuals, animals, or things that are considered as a single unit.
- Examples:
- team, family, flock, herd, crowd, committee.
- Examples:
Singular Form: Collective nouns are typically used as singular nouns, taking singular verbs and pronouns.
- Example:
- The team is practicing. It has its own strategy.
- Example:
Collective Identity: Collective nouns emphasize the unity or collective identity of a group, treating it as a single entity.
- Example:
- The jury reached its verdict.
- Example:
Groups of People: Collective nouns can represent groups of people in various contexts.
- Examples:
- audience, staff, committee, class, audience, team.
- Examples:
Groups of Animals: Collective nouns can also represent groups of animals.
- Examples:
- pack of wolves,
- herd of cows,
- swarm of bees,
- flock of birds.
- Examples:
Groups of Things: Collective nouns can refer to groups of inanimate objects or things.
- Examples:
- collection of books,
- fleet of ships,
- bunch of flowers,
- stack of papers.
- Examples:
Modifiers with Collective Nouns: Collective nouns can be modified by adjectives or other determiners.
- Examples:
- a large crowd,
- the proud family,
- an enthusiastic team.
- Examples:
Alternative Forms: Some collective nouns have alternative forms, which can be used depending on the context or personal preference.
- Examples:
- group/team (collective noun),
- members (plural noun).
- Examples:
Collective nouns help us talk about groups of individuals or objects efficiently. By using collective nouns, we can refer to a collection of entities as a unified whole, simplifying our language and expressing the collective identity of a group.
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