Collective Nouns

by:HERTIKI

Collective Nouns Collective nouns are

used to describe a group of the same things

• People• Words associated with certain animals

• People involved in the same job / activity

• Physical features of landscapes

• Things in general

PEOPLE

a group of people (small group)

a crowd of people ( large number)

a gang of football fans ( rather negative)

WORDS ASSOCIATED WITH CERTAIN

ANIMALS

a flock of sheep a flock of birds

a herd of goats a herd of cows

a pack of wolves a pack of dogs

a shoal of fish a swarm of bees

PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE SAME JOB / ACTIVITY

a team of doctors a team of reporters

The crew were all saved when the ship sank. (workers on a ship)

The company are rehearsing a new production. (group of actors)

The cast were all amateurs. (actors in a particular production)

The staff are having lunch at Royal Plaza.(general word for groups who share a place of work, e.g. teachers in a school)

PHYSICAL FEATURES OF LANDSCAPE

a row of cottages a clump of trees

a range of hills a small group of islands

THINGS IN GENERAL

a pile of papers a pile of clothes

a pile of dishes a pile of toys

a bunch of flowers a bunch of bananas

a stack of chairs a stack of tables

a stack of boxes a stack of logs

a set of tools a set of pans

a set of pots

1. There are a …..… of mosquitoes in the forests in Scandinavia in the summer.

2. As we looked over the side of the boat, we saw a ……..of brightly coloured fish swimming just below the surface.

3. There was a ……..of youths standing on the corner; they didn’t look at all friendly.

4. You’ll see a …….of cards on the bookshelf. Will you fetch them for me, please?

5. The government has appointed a …... of biologists to look into the problem.

1. Company is often used for:a. actors b. opera singers c. swimmers

2. Cast is often used for people in:a. a play b. a book c. a film

3. Crew is often used for the staff of:a. an ambulance b. a plane c. a hospital

4. Pack is often used for: a. cats b. hyenas c. wolves5. Flock is often used for:

a. sheep b. starlings c. pigs

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION