Collective Nouns and Subject-Verb Agreement Explained
Collective nouns are one of those areas in English grammar where even confident speakers get confused. The problem mostly stems from deciding whether to use a singular or plural verb with words like team, family, committee, and audience. These nouns look singular but represent multiple individuals, which raises the question: should the verb be singular or plural?
In this guide, you’ll learn what collective nouns are, how subject-verb agreement works with them, and how context determines the correct verb form. We’ll also address British vs. American usage and highlight common mistakes learners should avoid.
What are Collective Nouns?
A collective noun refers to a group of people, animals, or objects that are considered as one unit. Words like team, staff, committee, family, audience, and class fall into this category. Although these nouns look singular, they describe a group, and this duality is what makes them tricky in grammar.
For example, in the sentence “The committee has reached a decision,” committee is treated as a single unit acting together. But in “The committee are debating among themselves,” it refers to individual members within the group acting separately.
How Subject-Verb Agreement Works with Collective Nouns
The key to choosing the correct verb lies in context. If the collective noun refers to the group acting as one entity, then a singular verb is appropriate. But if it refers to individuals within the group doing different things, a plural verb is needed.
Take this pair of examples:
- “The audience was thrilled by the performance.” This suggests the audience responded together.
- “The audience are leaving their seats one after the other.” This points to individual actions, hence the plural verb.
So, the rule is simple: use a singular verb when the group acts as one, and use a plural verb when the individuals act separately.
British English vs. American English
It’s worth noting that British English tends to use plural verbs with collective nouns more frequently than American English, even when the group is acting as a unit. For example, a British speaker might say, “The team are winning,” while an American would say, “The team is winning.” Both are correct, but you should choose based on the standard you’re following, especially in exams or formal writing.
Applying the Rule in Context
Let’s consider a few more examples to see this rule in action.
When you say, “My family lives in Ibadan,” you’re treating family as a single unit, hence the singular verb lives. But if you say, “My family are travelling to different states,” you’re referring to the actions of individual members, and that justifies the plural verb are.
Similarly, you can say, “The staff is preparing the report” if they are working together. However, if each staff member is doing a separate task, “The staff are preparing their individual contributions” would be the correct choice.
Common Mistakes to Watch Out For
A major mistake learners make is assuming that collective nouns always take singular verbs. For instance, “The class has submitted their assignments” mixes a singular subject with a plural possessive. If the students submitted their assignments individually, the sentence should be “The class have submitted their assignments.”
Another frequent error is ignoring context. For example, saying “The jury is arguing among itself” sounds awkward because arguing implies separate opinions. In such a case, “The jury are arguing among themselves” is more appropriate.
You should also be aware of regional variations. Some standardized exams accept both British and American usage, but others may prefer consistency. Always check which version is expected.
Practice Time
Let’s test your understanding. Choose the correct verb in each sentence below:
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The crowd (is/are) cheering loudly.
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The class (has/have) finished their exams.
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My family (is/are) scattered across the country.
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The staff (is/are) preparing for the meeting.
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The jury (is/are) arguing among themselves.
Share your answers in the comments!
Wrapping Up
Collective nouns are easy to spot but tricky to master. The good news is that once you understand how to match them with verbs based on context, you’ll avoid many common grammar mistakes. You’ll sound clearer and more confident when writing essays or speaking in public.
