A collective noun refers to a group of people or things considered together as a single entity. Examples of collective nouns include:
- Crowd
- Family
- Government
- Team
When a collective noun is used to represent the group as a whole, a singular verb is used.
- The crowd shouted in unison.
- The family laughed at the joke.
- The government implemented new policies.
- The team won the championship.
However, if you want to focus on the individual members of the group, you can use a plural verb. This is often done to emphasize the diversity of the group or to talk about the actions of individual members.
- The crowd cheered and waved signs.
- The family members laughed and hugged each other.
- The government officials disagreed about the policy's impact.
- The team players each had their own strengths and weaknesses.
By following collective noun antecedent agreement, you can ensure your writing is grammatically correct and effectively conveys the intended meaning of your sentences.