Sentence correctness

Question

HiPlease tell if this sentence sounds natural.Collective nouns take plural verb if the noun is not expressed as one unit but as individuals.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Here's the same idea from a source online.

A collective noun names a group of individuals or things with a singular form. Examples of collective nouns are: faculty, herd, team. ... When the individuals in the collection or group receive the emphasis, the plural verb is acceptable. Generally, however, in American English, collective nouns take singular verbs.

http://www.dictionary.com/e/collective-nouns/

Here's another one.

If the collective noun refers to the group as a unit, then it takes a singular verb. If it refers to the individuals in the group or the parts that make up the group, then the verb should be plural.

https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/quiz/jeu-quiz-sva-collective-nouns-eng

vsureshCollective nouns take a/the plural verb if the noun ~~is not expressed as~~ does not refer to one unit but as to individuals.

Following the lead of the explanations above, I think the singular form "a collective noun" is better.

Secondly, a rule of this kind is always more difficult to understand if it is stated in the negative: (is not expressed / does not refer to)

Also notice that both explanations deal with the singular first, and then the plural.

And then note that a noun refers to one thing or another; it's not that a noun is expressed one way or another.

These factors in mind, I would write your sentence as follows:

A collective noun takes a singular verb if it refers to a whole group, and a plural verb if it refers to the individuals in the group.

Your sentence is understandable as you wrote it, but I thought you might want to see how it is written to make it more precise. (Well, anyway, I think it's more precise like that. )

CJ

Sentence correctness

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions