Singular vs. Plural Collective Nouns

In this blog post, you’ll learn the difference between singular and plural collective nouns. Collective nouns refer to a group of people, animals, or things as a single unit. However, they can be used in both singular and plural forms depending on the context. Understanding how to use collective nouns correctly will help you improve your sentence structure and grammar skills.

What Are Collective Nouns?

A collective noun is a word that names a group of people, animals, or things. Even though it refers to multiple members, it is often singular because it describes one unit. However, it can also be plural if we talk about the individuals in the group separately.

For example:

• A team of players
• A flock of birds
• A bunch of grapes

Singular Collective Nouns

A collective noun is singular when the group is seen as a single unit. In this case, the verb is also singular.

Example:

• The band plays a song together.

Usage of Singular Collective Nouns

Singular collective nouns refer to a group of people, animals, or things but are treated as singular when used in a sentence. Let’s learn the usage of singular collective nouns through helpful examples:

1. Subject-Verb Agreement

Since collective nouns are singular, they usually take a singular verb.

Example:

• The team is practicing hard. (Not “are”)
• My family loves to travel. (Not “love”)

2. Referring to the Group as a Unit

When the group is acting as one unit, use a singular verb.

Example:

• The class is quiet. (The whole class is quiet as a unit.)
• The jury has reached a decision. (The jury is deciding as one group.)

3. Using Pronouns with Collective Nouns

When a collective noun is singular, we use “it” instead of “they.”

Example:

• The staff is hardworking. It always meets deadlines.
• The herd is moving slowly. It is grazing peacefully.

4. When a Collective Noun can be plural

Sometimes, if the members of the group are acting individually, the collective noun can take a plural verb and a plural pronoun.

Example:

• The team are arguing among themselves. (Each member is arguing separately.)
• The jury are divided in their opinions. (Each jury member has a different opinion.)

Examples of Singular Collective Nouns

Here’s the list of singular collective noun examples for people, animals, and things, along with their use in sentences:

People

• A team – The team is playing well today.
• A family – My family loves to travel.
• A class – The class is listening to the teacher.
• A crew – The crew is working on the ship.
• A crowd – The crowd was excited to see the show.
• A jury – The jury has reached a decision.
• A staff – The staff is very helpful.

Animals

• A herd – A herd of cows is grazing in the field.
• A flock – A flock of birds is flying in the sky.
• A pack – A pack of wolves is hunting together.
• A swarm – A swarm of bees is near the flowers.
• A school – A school of fish is swimming in the ocean.

Things

• A bunch – A bunch of grapes is on the table.
• A pile – A pile of books is on my desk.
• A stack – A stack of papers is neatly arranged.
• A set – A set of keys is missing.
• A collection – A collection of stamps is in the album.

Plural Collective Nouns

A plural collective noun is used when we consider each member of the group separately. In this case, the verb used is plural.

Example:

• The band are tuning their instruments separately.

Usage of Plural Collective Nouns

Plural collective nouns are used when individual members of the group are acting separately. Here’s the breakdown of the usage of plural collective nouns along with their examples.

1. Subject-Verb Agreement

When the individuals in the group act separately, use a plural verb.

Example:

• The committee are divided in their decisions.
• The police are investigating different cases.

2. Referring to Members Individually

If the focus is on the individuals in the group, use a plural verb.

Example:

• The audience are clapping their hands separately.
• The family have their own opinions.

3. Using Pronouns with Plural Collective Nouns

When a collective noun is plural, we use “they” instead of “it.”

Example:

• The jury are not in agreement. They have different opinions.
• The staff are discussing their ideas. They cannot decide.

Examples of Plural Collective Nouns

Below-listed examples are showing plural collective nouns for people, animals, and things.

People

• Several teams – Several teams are competing in the tournament.
• Many families – Many families enjoy picnics on weekends.
• Different classes – Different classes are going on a field trip.
• Various crews – Various crews are working on the construction site.
• Large crowds – Large crowds gather for the festival.
• Two juries – Two juries were selected for the cases.
• Several staffs – Several staffs from different offices attended the meeting.

Animals

• Several herds – Several herds of cattle roam in the fields.
• Many flocks – Many flocks of birds migrate in winter.
• Multiple packs – Multiple packs of wolves live in the forest.
• Several swarms – Several swarms of bees were seen near the garden.
• Different schools – Different schools of fish swim in the deep sea.

Things

• Many bunches – Many bunches of bananas are in the market.
• Several piles – Several piles of clothes need washing.
• Multiple stacks – Multiple stacks of books are in the library.
• Different sets – Different sets of tools are available in the store.
• Several collections – Several collections of paintings are displayed in the museum.

It is not necessary to use words like many, several, multiple, or different with plural collective nouns. However, these words help clarify that we are talking about more than one group. Below-listed examples are given without these words:

• Teams are practicing on the field.
• Families love to celebrate festivals together.
• Classes are preparing for the exam.
• Herds of cattle roam in the valley.

Comparison Chart

Collective Noun	Singular Usage	Plural Usage
Team	The team is playing well.	The team are wearing different uniforms.
Class	The class was quiet.	The class are working in groups.
Family	My family lives in one house.	My family have different hobbies.
Jury	The jury reaches a verdict.	The jury are discussing the case.

Rules for Using Singular and Plural Collective Nouns

1. Use singular verbs when the group acts as one unit.

• The jury delivers its verdict. (The jury acts together.)

2. Use plural verbs when individuals act separately.

• The jury are discussing their opinions. (The members of the jury act individually.)

3. Pay attention to the context of the sentence.

• If the action is done as one, use singular.
• If the action is done separately, use plural.

4. Some collective nouns are always singular.

• News, furniture, luggage, information, equipment, and advice are always singular.

Examples of Singular vs. Plural Collective Nouns

Singular Collective Noun	Plural Collective Noun
The army fights bravely.	The army are preparing their weapons.
The band is playing a song.	The band are tuning their instruments.
The crowd cheers loudly.	The crowd are talking to each other.
The committee decides the rules.	The committee disagree on the decision.
The staff works hard.	The staff are going on a holiday.
The choir sings beautifully.	The choir are practicing separately.
The police is investigating the case.	The police are questioning suspects.
The audience enjoys the show.	The audience are leaving the theater.
The pack is hunting together.	The pack are searching for food.
The orchestra performs well.	The orchestra are tuning their instruments.
The fleet sails across the sea.	The fleet are sailing in different directions.
The government decides the policy.	The government are debating among themselves.
The council plans new projects.	The council are sharing their opinions.
The gang operates at night.	The gang are hiding in different places.
The jury reaches a verdict.	The jury are discussing the case.
The group is singing together.	The group are chatting separately.
The cast performs in a play.	The cast are rehearsing their roles.
The company grows fast.	The company are introducing new products.
The board meets every Monday.	The board are expressing their views.
The team plays well.	The team are celebrating individually.
The faculty teaches different subjects.	The faculty are planning lessons.
The department functions smoothly.	The department are discussing their reports.
The family lives in a big house.	The family are preparing their own meals.
The flock flies in the sky.	The flock are resting on different trees.
The committee approves the project.	The committee are arguing over details.
The convoy travels at night.	The convoy are stopping at different locations.
The staff supports the manager.	The staff are working on different tasks.
The squad performs their duty.	The squad are training separately.
The gang controls the area.	The gang are running in different directions.
The crew works together.	The crew are preparing their equipment.
The class sits quietly.	The class are discussing the topic.
The mob causes trouble.	The mob are running away.
The delegation represents the country.	The delegation are introducing themselves.
The citizenry elects their leader.	The citizenry are casting their votes.
The platoon marches in sync.	The platoon are setting up their tents.
The panel reviews the report.	The panel are sharing their views.
The jury gives the verdict.	The jury are divided in opinion.
The choir performs at the concert.	The choir are warming up their voices.
The alliance signs the treaty.	The alliance are meeting separately.
The horde moves forward.	The horde are setting up camps.
The league supports fair play.	The league are organizing different events.
The association provides help.	The association are discussing policies.
The force fights bravely.	The force are retreating to different places.

Read More

• Collective Nouns for Food and Drinks
• Collective Nouns Definition, Rules
• Collective Nouns For People

FAQs about Singular vs. Plural Collective Nouns

1. What is a collective noun?

A collective noun is a word that refers to a group of people, animals, or things as a single unit. Example: A flock of birds.

2. When is a collective noun singular?

A collective noun is singular when the group acts as one unit. Example: The team is winning.

3. When is a collective noun plural?

A collective noun is plural when the members act individually. Example: The team are discussing their strategies.

4. How do I know if a collective noun is singular or plural?

Check if the group is acting together (singular) or individually (plural). Example: The family is happy. (as a unit) vs. The family are arguing. (individually)

5. What are some common collective nouns?

Some examples are team, family, herd, jury, audience, police, staff, committee.

6. Can a collective noun be both singular and plural?

Yes! It depends on the meaning in the sentence. Example: The staff is hardworking. (unit) vs. The staff are discussing their schedules. (individuals)

7. Why do some collective nouns take a plural verb?

When the group members are doing different things, we use a plural verb. Example: The jury are arguing among themselves.