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What is the verb if a sentence is a collective noun such as group but the members of the group are acting as individuals?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
The verb for a singular collective noun is a verb for the singular.
The verb for a plural collective noun is a verb for the plural.
Examples:
A herd of elephants was at the river's edge. (singular)
Herds of elephants were converging at the river's edge. (plural)
The reason that a singular verb is used for a singular collective noun is that the collective noun (herd) is the subject of the sentence; the noun 'elephants' is the object of the preposition 'of'. The term 'herd of elephants' is a noun phrase. The simple subject of the sentence is 'herd'; the complete subject is 'herd of elephants' (one herd).
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
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What is the noun that names a group of persons of things?
A collective noun is one that indicates a group. It can be a proper noun, such as the Congress of the United States of America or the Supreme Court or New York Yankees, or it may be a simple noun, such as legislature, jury, or team. Other collective nouns: family, majority (as of people), management, workforce, and faculty. Care should be taken when choosing a verb to go with collective nouns. They can take singular or plural nouns, depending on how they are used in the sentence. When the collective noun is thought of as acting as a whole, it should take a singular verb; when the individual members of a group are thought of as acting independently, then use a plural verb. For example: The jury is deliberating. (Acting as a unit, collective noun takes a singular verb) The jury are taking their seats. (Acting as individuals, collective noun takes plural verb) Beware: many readers will be uncomfortable with plural verbs with collective nouns. For example, "The jury are taking their seats" will sound weird to many readers, even though it is grammatically correct. It may be better to write "The jurors are taking their seats" or "The jury members are taking their seats."
What correctly describes the collective noun in The board were arriving late trickling in by twos or threes?
The collective noun is acting individually (one board) and takes a singular verb:"The board was arriving late, trickling in by twos and threes."The fact that the rest of the sentence is referring to the members (plural) does not change the fact that the subject (board) is singular.
How do you determine when to use a singular or plural verb with a collective noun?
Use a singular verb with a collective noun when the group is acting as a single entity, and use a plural verb when the members of the group are acting individually. For example, "The team is playing well" (singular) versus "The team are disagreeing among themselves" (plural). Pay attention to the context and consider whether the collective noun is functioning as a single unit or as separate individuals within the group.
is door collective noun?
No. The door is not a collective noun. Why? Collective Nouns name people, animals, or things that are considered as one group or a whole. A collective noun may be singular or plural in form. It is singular when the group is acting as a whole. A singular verb is used. When members of the group do things individually on their own, then the noun is plural in form. A plural verb is used. #CarryOnLearning:) #UwU
Is door a collective noun?
No. The door is not a collective noun. Why? Collective Nouns name people, animals, or things that are considered as one group or a whole. A collective noun may be singular or plural in form. It is singular when the group is acting as a whole. A singular verb is used. When members of the group do things individually on their own, then the noun is plural in form. A plural verb is used. #CarryOnLearning:) #UwU
When members of Congress vote with their political party they are acting as what?
When members of Congress vote with their political party, they are acting as partisan.
The committee votes on the bill today?
The collective noun is acting as a unit and takes a singular verb.
What is the parable of the tragedy of the commons?
The tragedy of the commons is a concept that describes how individuals acting in their own self-interest can deplete a shared resource, leading to its degradation or depletion. This parable highlights the importance of collective responsibility and cooperative management of resources to prevent their overuse or destruction.
What does collective future mean - I found it in a reading that states learn effective steps toward a real collective future?
A future thing or action done by people acting as a group.
What kind of people were acting companies formed to put on plays for?
The Acting Companies in Shakespeare's dayput on plays for all sorts of people. Everyone who could afford a penny could attend a play.Although the acting companies were sponsored by members of the nobility and did put on private performances for wealthy and powerful individuals including the monarch, their primary audience was the general public.
How do you use Primly in a sentence?
she was acting primly :)
What is the rationale for prohibiting management prerogative in a collective agreement?
Because "management prerogative" usually means acting without consulting workers, or acting in a way that may be detrimental to workers.
