Collective nouns
Hey guys, this is a very straightforward question, regarding collective nouns.
From what I've seen, it is common to refer to these nouns as being both plural and singular. I would like to know which one is more common, or if there is a right situation to use each of them.
Examples:
My family has/have arrived.
The wolf pack was/were hunting.
The team was/were playing really well.
The jury has/have not decided yet.
Thanks in advance.
Top answer
In American English collective noun subjects are treated as singular for the purposes of subject-verb agreement. In British English you will most often see them treated as plural. See the link below for a list of articles on notional agreement.
- In American English collective noun subjects are treated as singular for the purposes of subject-verb agreement.
- In British English you will most often see them treated as plural.
- See the link below for a list of articles on notional agreement.
- source=hp&ei=-z3EXpK0BtLy-gT0mIDgBQ&q=notional+agreement&oq=notional+agreement&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQAzICCAAyAggAMgIIADICCAAyAggAMgYIABAWEB4yBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeMgYIABAWEB4yBggAEBYQHjoFCAAQgwE6BAgAEAo6BwgAEEYQ-QFQ7w1YuCdgyDVoAHAAeACAAV2IAeUKkgECMTiYAQCgAQGqAQdnd3Mtd2l6&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwjSnYPW3sDpAhVSuZ4KHXQMAFwQ4dUDCAg&uact=5
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In American English collective noun subjects are treated as singular for the purposes of subject-verb agreement.
In British English you will most often see them treated as plural.
See the link below for a list of articles on notional agreement.
CJ
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