Collective Collective NounsNouns

I can identify a collective I can identify a collective noun and determine if it is noun and determine if it is

singular or plural.singular or plural.

A collective noun is:A collective noun is:A noun that names a A noun that names a GROUP of people or GROUP of people or thingsthings

EX. team, family, EX. team, family, cast, audience, groupcast, audience, group

Singular Collective NounSingular Collective Noun

The collective noun is The collective noun is singular when ALL singular when ALL members of the group members of the group are acting as ONE, are acting as ONE, SINGLE unit or group.SINGLE unit or group.

Examples of Singular Examples of Singular Collective NounsCollective Nouns

The The teamteam share sharess the field the field with its opponent.with its opponent.

The drama The drama clubclub meet meetss after after school.school.

Our Our classclass watch watcheses the the volleyball match.volleyball match.

Plural Collective NounsPlural Collective NounsA collective noun is A collective noun is plural when the members plural when the members of the group ACT of the group ACT SEPARATELY, or SEPARATELY, or INDIVIDUALLY.INDIVIDUALLY.

Examples of Plural Examples of Plural Collective NounsCollective Nouns

The The teamteam share share theirtheir jokes jokes with each other.with each other.

The The clubclub take take their their individualindividual positions. positions.

The The classclass begin begin theirtheir presentations.presentations.

Hints for Determining Hints for Determining Plural Collective NounsPlural Collective Nouns

The word “their” appears after the The word “their” appears after the subject and verb.subject and verb.

The verb does not have an “s” The verb does not have an “s” added to the end.added to the end.

The direct object is plural.The direct object is plural.The main verb or verb phrase The main verb or verb phrase

contains “have,” “are,” or “were.”contains “have,” “are,” or “were.”

Signal Card PracticeSignal Card PracticeDecide with your partner if the collective Decide with your partner if the collective

noun is singular (A) or plural (B).noun is singular (A) or plural (B).

1. The class describe their vacations. 1. The class describe their vacations.

2. The family takes a vacation to Michigan.2. The family takes a vacation to Michigan.

3. The swarm of reporters engulfs the famous 3. The swarm of reporters engulfs the famous actor all at once.actor all at once.

4. The chess club compare their strategies so 4. The chess club compare their strategies so as to win the tournament.as to win the tournament.

BA

A

B

Signal Card PracticeSignal Card PracticeWith your partner, choose the correct form of With your partner, choose the correct form of

the verb.the verb.

1. The whole class (A. meets, B. meet) at 3 PM.1. The whole class (A. meets, B. meet) at 3 PM.

2. The troop (A. disappears, B. disappear) 2. The troop (A. disappears, B. disappear) towards the east.towards the east.

3. The crowd (A. moves, B. move) to their 3. The crowd (A. moves, B. move) to their favorite places along the parade route.favorite places along the parade route.

4. The family (A. scatters, B. scatter) in all 4. The family (A. scatters, B. scatter) in all directions to do their own thing.  directions to do their own thing. 

Practice in NotesPractice in Notes

1. The class is putting on a musical this year.1. The class is putting on a musical this year.

2. The audience were shifting restlessly in2. The audience were shifting restlessly in

their seats.their seats.

3. All of a sudden, the crowd rose to its feet.3. All of a sudden, the crowd rose to its feet.

4. The construction crew works at night.4. The construction crew works at night.

S

P

S

S

Practice in NotesPractice in Notes

1. is1. is

2. is2. is

3. were3. were