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Collective Nouns: Definition, Examples and Exercises
- Updated on
- January 29, 2024
Band, flock, pride ? Have you ever heard of these words and made yourself wonder why we use them? Well, these are known as collective nouns , perfect to denote a group of people, objects, places, etc. Usually, they have a form of plural nouns. But then, do they come in singular nouns or plural nouns? Well, worry not, you will learn all about this noun, and its definition through the lens of examples in this blog, we have compiled for you.
This Blog Includes:
What are collective nouns – definition, how to use collective nouns in english , list of collective nouns to improve your vocabulary, 15+ collective nouns examples, are collective nouns singular or plural, practice with collective noun exercises.
Must Read: Nouns: Definition, Examples
A Collective Noun refers to a group of people or a collection of things taken as a whole. They can be nouns such as ‘family’ , ‘flock’ or ‘family’ . The word ‘collective’ means ‘characteristic of a group of individuals taken together.’ One thing to remember when using a collective noun is to use the right form of the verb in sentences
Also Read: 15 Best English Grammar Books for Beginners and College Students
Here are two rules that you must follow when using collective nouns:
Rule 1: Use a singular verb when thinking of the group as a unit.
Example: The class ( noun ) waits ( verb ) patiently for their teacher to arrive.
Rule 2: Use a plural verb when talking about a group of members .
Example: The class ( noun ) begin ( verb ) their homework assignments while they wait for the announcements.
Also Read: Grammar for IELTS
Here are some examples of collective nouns that will give you an idea.
Collective Nouns for Animals
Collective Nouns for People
Collective Nouns for Objects/Things
Quick Read: Determiners in English Grammar: Definition, Type & Rules
1. The herd of cows were grazing in the field.
2. The flock of birds were flying in formation.
3. The colony of ants was working together.
4. A cloud of dust.
5. Andrew was excited to see a herd of elephants.
6. The bench of judges gave the verdict.
7. A basket of fruits.
8. A bale of cotton.
9. The flock of seagulls landed on the beach.
10. The ants brought the bread crumbs back to the colony .
11. The pride of lions was on the hunt.
12. The school of fish swam in circles.
13. The pack of wolves howled at the moon.
14. The crew of sailors sailed off.
15. A collection of coins.
16. The farmer collected a sheaf of grain from each row of wheat in the field.
17. The birder watched a pod of birds flying north.
18. The poet published an anthology of poems.
19. The filmmaker edited a reel of the film.
20. The family enjoyed a bowl of rice with their dinner every night.
As you might have noticed in the examples mentioned above, collective nouns, when used describe the plurality of something (which could be an object, event, person or place). This often leads to confusion when using the right form of verbs. In conclusion, collective nouns come in the singular noun category.
Read the sentences below and figure out which one of the two is correct.
Sentence 1: This year’s team is ready for the finale.
Sentence 2: This year’s team are ready for the finale.
In the above two sentences, you can notice that Sentence 2 is incorrect. We must use a singular verb ‘is’ with a collective noun as it represents a singular unit.
Must Read: Plural Nouns: Definition, Rules, Examples & Exercises
Now that you have gained sufficient knowledge about this noun. We have prepared a small gap-filling exercise which will help you check your knowledge.
Fill in the blanks with the correct collective noun.
- A ________ of cows.
- A ________ of cattle.
- A ________ of sharks.
- A ________ of hamsters.
- A ________ of kittens.
- A ________ of musicians.
- A ________ of rumours.
- A ________ of sheep.
- A ________ of wolves.
- A _______ of arrows.
Check Your Answers!
Check Other Posts!
Some common collective nouns include Herd of cows, pack of wolves, band of musicians, bed of clams, kindle of kittens and many more.
A collective noun refers to a group of animals, people, things etc.
Collective nouns come under singular nouns.
To advance your grammar knowledge and read more informative blogs, check out our Learn English page and don’t forget to follow Leverage Edu .
Malvika Chawla
Malvika is a content writer cum news freak who comes with a strong background in Journalism and has worked with renowned news websites such as News 9 and The Financial Express to name a few. When not writing, she can be found bringing life to the canvasses by painting on them.
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Unique Collective Noun for Rhinos
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What is the Collective Noun for Tasks?
Welcome to an exciting exploration of how we group tasks together! Collective nouns aren’t just for animals; they can also describe groups of tasks, making our conversations more colorful and precise. Let’s dive into the world of tasks and discover the special words we use to bundle them up.
Table of Contents
Collective Noun for Task
Detailed explanations and examples for tasks.
A batch refers to a group of tasks that are processed or handled together. For example:
- A baker might have a batch of cookies to bake.
- You might have a batch of thank-you cards to write after your birthday.
- A student could have a batch of application forms to fill out for college.
A series of tasks are ones that occur one after another, often in a specific order. For example:
- Reading a series of books from your favorite author.
- Attending a series of workshops on painting.
- Completing a series of levels in a video game.
A list is a number of tasks written down so they aren’t forgotten, often in the order you need to do them. For example:
- Your teacher might give you a list of supplies needed for a science project.
- Before going on a trip, you might make a list of things to pack.
- You could have a list of daily exercises to stay healthy.
A set of tasks are related and usually intended to be completed together. For example:
- Assembling a set of lego models.
- Doing a set of exercises for homework.
- Cooking a set of recipes for a family dinner.
An array of tasks refers to a wide variety or range of tasks, often diverse and numerous. For example:
- Participating in an array of activities during summer camp.
- Having an array of household chores to complete over the weekend.
- Working on an array of art projects for a class.
Understanding and using the right collective nouns for tasks can make our communication clearer and more interesting. Whether it’s completing a batch of homework, working through a series of tasks, making a list of chores, tackling a set of problems, or handling an array of projects, these words help us organize our work and share our experiences more effectively. Now, with these collective nouns in your toolkit, you’re ready to talk about tasks like a pro!
Collective Nouns for Tasks Quiz
Test your knowledge about the collective nouns for tasks! Read each question carefully and choose the best answer from the options provided. At the end of the quiz, you’ll find the answers to see how well you did. Good luck!
Quiz Questions
Answers to the quiz.
- C) Batch – A batch of homework refers to a set of assignments grouped for handling or processing together.
- B) Series – A series of assignments are tasks that occur one after another, often in a specific order.
- B) List – A list of chores is a written number of tasks to be completed, often organized in the order you plan to do them.
- A) Set – A set of math problems refers to a group of tasks designed to be completed together.
- D) Array – An array of projects describes a wide variety or range of tasks, often diverse and numerous.
How did you do? These questions were designed based on the collective nouns for tasks we covered in the article. Understanding these can help make discussions about work or school tasks more specific and clear. Keep practicing, and you’ll master the art of collective nouns in no time!
What is the Collective Noun for Flour?
What is the Collective Noun for Hoses?
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