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Collective Nouns

Some nouns can be used with either “singular” or plural “verbs,” depending on whether the speaker is referring to them as a one group or individually.

Examples of collective nouns are:

group

family

committee

team

management

The committee has not made a decision yet.

The committee have not made a decision yet.

The team is posing for a photograph.

The team are signing autographs.

(It will submit one conclusion as a group.)

They are still arguing among themselves.)

(as a group)

(as individuals)

Be careful when using collective nouns with pronouns.

The Jones family is having a reunion this Sunday. It meets every summer.

The Jones family are going home on Monday. They all live in different states.

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