What are collective

nouns?

Grammar Toolkit

Collective nouns

Grammar Toolkit

Collective nouns

A collective noun names a group or collection of people or things.

family herd pair

Grammar Toolkit

Collective nouns

There are many collective nouns, especially for animals. What collective

noun would describe each picture?

of birdsflockof peoplecrowd

of beesswarmof fishshoal

of kittenslitterof boatsfleet

of bananasbunchof stairsflight

Collective nouns can be singular or plural, to name the group as a whole or the individual

members of the group.

The team is playing well this week.

Grammar Toolkit

Collective nouns

The team put in their mouthguards.

The team as a whole is playing well, so the verb is singular.

Everyone in the team put in their mouthguards — there is obviously more than

one mouthguard — so the verb is plural.

Are the collective nouns inthese sentences singular or plural?

The family took it in turns to wash the dishes.

Grammar Toolkit

Collective nouns

plural

The orchestra was applauded for 10 minutes. singular

The committee is happy with the decision. singular

The audience queued quietly for their tickets. plural

Grammar Toolkit

Collective nouns

• A noun is a naming word. A collective noun names a group or collection of people or things.

• In the following sentence, the collective nouns are red. As the pack of journalists settled, the jury stood to deliver its verdict.

Grammar Toolkit

Collective nouns

The End