Collective nouns allow writers to use a word to refer a group of animals, things, or people. Examples of collective nouns include a school (of fish), an assembly (of toys), and an army (of soldiers). Sometimes, the decision to use a singular verb or a plural verb with a collective noun can become a confusing issue. The key to deciding which verb to use simply depends on whether the collective noun functions as a unit or whether the collective noun emphasizes the parts or individuals in the group.

Typically, when a collective noun functions as one item or unit, we should use a singular verb.

EX: The company is in need of new management.

EX: A colony of ants was found near the house.

When a collective noun emphasizes the parts or individuals in the group, we should use a plural verb.

EX: The school board submit their votes next Monday.

EX: The faculty are excited about their research opportunities.

Note: To avoid awkwardness, it may be helpful to add a noun that is clearly plural.

EX: The school board representatives submit their votes next Monday.

EX: The faculty members are excited about their research opportunities.

Along with our own website, this week we recommend visiting The Keables Guide to Writing. Visitors will find that this website not only offers writing tips on collective nouns and verb agreement but also offers other writing tips regarding subject/verb agreement issues such as intervening words between the subject and the verb and subjects after the verb.
 

Test your understanding of subject/verb agreement with collective nouns with the following sentences.

1. The committee (has/have) submitted its report on the incident. (Hint: the pronoun its suggests the committee is acting as a unit.)

2. For the past several years, we noticed that the band (play/plays) only old hits at concerts.

3. The panel of judges (seem/seems) partial to one contestant.

Answers

1. The committee has submitted its report on the incident.

2. For the past several years, we noticed that the band plays only old hits at concerts.

3. The panel of judges seems partial to one contestant.

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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