Subject-verb agreement is an essential element of English grammar that helps to ensure clarity and coherence in written communication. Collective nouns are one area of subject-verb agreement that can be particularly confusing for many writers. Collective nouns refer to groups of people, animals, or things, and they can create confusion because they often appear singular, but the actual number of their members can vary. In this article, we will provide an example of subject-verb agreement with collective nouns to help writers navigate this grammar rule.
Collective nouns can be tricky because they can take either a singular or plural form depending on the context of the sentence. The rule of thumb is that when the collective noun refers to the group as a whole, it is treated as singular, while when it refers to the individual members of the group, it is treated as plural. Let`s consider an example to illustrate this rule:
Example: The team is playing its best game.
In this sentence, the collective noun “team” is singular because it refers to the group as a whole. The verb “is” is also singular, agreeing with the subject. Here`s another example that demonstrates the opposite:
Example: The team are putting on their uniforms.
In this sentence, “team” is now plural because it is referring to the individual members of the group. Therefore, the verb “are” is also plural, agreeing with the subject.
Collective nouns can also be tricky when they are paired with restrictive or non-restrictive modifiers. Restrictive modifiers are those that specify which members of the group are being referred to, while non-restrictive modifiers provide additional information about the group as a whole. Let`s consider an example to illustrate this:
Example: The flock of geese that migrates south every winter is a breathtaking sight.
In this sentence, “flock” is singular because it refers to the group as a whole. The restrictive modifier “that migrates south every winter” specifies which members of the group are being referred to. Therefore, the verb “is” is also singular, agreeing with the subject.
To further complicate things, collective nouns can sometimes be treated as both singular and plural in the same sentence. This can happen when the collective noun is paired with a plural noun or pronoun. Here`s an example:
Example: The board of directors have submitted their recommendations.
In this sentence, “board of directors” is singular because it refers to the group as a whole. However, the plural pronoun “their” is used to refer to the individual members of the group. Therefore, the verb “have submitted” is also plural, agreeing with the plural pronoun.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement with collective nouns can be a bit tricky, but following a few simple rules can help to ensure that your writing is clear and coherent. Remember to treat the collective noun as singular when it refers to the group as a whole and as plural when it refers to the individual members of the group. Don`t forget to pay attention to restrictive and non-restrictive modifiers and be mindful of plural nouns and pronouns that may be used in conjunction with a collective noun. By following these guidelines, you`ll be well on your way to mastering subject-verb agreement with collective nouns in your writing.
