Collective nouns

Collective nouns refer to a group of people, animals, objects, or concepts or ideas as a single entity.

Got this? OK then, try this quiz: Collective Nouns

Using collective nouns in your writing can sometimes be confusing because it's not quite certain to ascertain whether to use plural or singular verbs and pronouns. You first have to identify whether the collective noun refers to a group or a unit working as individuals or in unison.

• When the unit is acting in unison, it is appropriate to use the singular.
• When the members of the unit are acting as individuals, it is appropriate to use plural forms of verbs and pronouns.

For example,

• The class waits  for its teacher quietly. (The class is  a unit acting in unison.)
• The class begin (plural verb) their new term with exams because they (plural pronoun) had not done them properly the first time.