COLLECTIVE NOUNS:

Words for groups of people, animals or things are called COLLECTIVE NOUNS.

1- Here are some Collective nouns for GROUPS OF PEOPLE:

A family       A crew

A team           A club

A community   A committee

A choir                A company

A band                  A gang

An orchestra         The government

An audience            The army

2- Collective Nouns  may be used with a SINGULAR VERB OR A PLURAL VERB.

if the group is acting as a single unit, used a SINGULAR VERB . If groups members are acting as individuals, USE PLURAL VERB. 

EXAMPLES:

1-   AS A SINGLE UNIT:

      
The crowd WAS orderly.

2- AS INDIVIDUALS:

The crowd WERE Clapping, Yelling and cheering.

1- NOTES:

ALWAYS USE A PLURAL VERB WITH THE COLLECTIVE NOUNS OF PEOPLE AND THE POLICE.

EXAMPLE:

1- THOSE PEOPLE LIVE [ NOT LIVES] IN ASIA.

2-THE POLICE HAVE CAUGHT [NOT HAS CAUGT] THE THIEF.

3- Here are more collective Nouns you can use for GROUPS OF PEOPLE:

A  CROWD of shoppers

A COMPANY of actors

A CLASS of schoolchildren

A GANG of thieves

A PANEL of judges

A PLATOON of soldiers

4- Many groups of  ANIMALS have their own Special COLLECTIVE NOUNS:

A HERD of cattle          A PACK of wolves    A LITTER of puppies

A FLOCK of birds         A PRIDE  of lions     A TROOP of monkeys

A DROVE of sheep         A POD of dolphins    A BROOD of chickens

A GAGGLE of geese         A SCHOOL of fish   A SWARM of birds

5- Some groups of THINGS also have their own SPECIAL COLLECTIVE NOUNS:

A BUNCH of bananas      A DECK of cards

A CLUSTER of grapes      A FLIGHT of steps

A BUNCH of flowers          A SUITE of rooms

A BOUQUET of flowers     A SET of tools  

A RANGE OF MOUNTAINS  A STRING of beads

A FLEET of ships      A GROVE of trees

6- Some nouns NAME THE AMOUNT OR FORM OF SOMETHING:

A LOAF of bread    A BAR of soap

A BALL of string     A BAR of chocolate

7- The words A PIECE OF means A SINGLE SERVING OR PART OF SOMETHING:

A SLICE/ PIECE of bread       A SLICE/ PIECE of cheese

A PIECE/ SQUARE of chocolate  A SLICE/ PIECE of  cake

A SHEET/ PIECE of paper             A PIECE OF chalk

A PIECE of information                    A PIECE OF advice

EXERCISE: GRAMMAR

1- Read the following passage. Write the MISSING COLLECTIVE NOUNS IN THE BLANK SPACES. Remeber that sometimes there are TWO WORDS you can use:

Mom took Kate, Rudy and Derry to the zoo. The zoo was very busy. A--------of people had gathered round the monkeys. One of the monkeys had a---------of bananas. Watching the monkey eat made the children feel hungry. Mom took a------of bread and some--------- of cheese out of the picnic champer and everyone made sandwiches. After eating the sandwiches, the children had two---------of chocolate each. Rudy wanted to give one piece to a monkey, but the zookeper gave Rudy a very useful-----------of advice.  Monkeys may look friendly, but sometimes they are very fierce, he said.

2- Read the sentences. Does the COLLECTIVE NOUNS indicate A GROUP ACTING TOGETHER AS A SINGLE UNIT? If so, CIRCLE the SINGULAR VERB. Does the collective nouns indicate A GROUP IN WHICH EACH MEMBER ACTS INDIVIDUALLY? CIRCLE the PLURAL NOUN.

1- The jury were/ was arguing about the importance of evidence.

2- A whole company of soldiers is/are marching in the parade.

3- a gaggle of gesse is/ are running every which way in the barnyard.

4- Those people live/ lives in North america.

5-The police has/have arrested the suspect.

6- That truope of actors always stay/ stays at The grand hotel.

7-The committee is/are handing in their ballots.

8-Our school band play/plays many lively marches.

9-A big Colony of ants lives/live under the front porch.

10- The government are/is entitled to collect taxes.

3- Complete EACH PHRASE with a NOUN from the box that name a part or an amount of someting:

Bushel  Scoop  Ream  Pair

Drop     Grain   Pinch  Galaxy

1- A---------of stars.

2-A-----of sand.

3-A------of paper.

4-A--------of salt.

5-A-------of potatoes.

6-A-------of bookends.

7-A---------of ice cream.

8-A--------of Rain.

End of the todays class.

Doubst, comments or questions about the topic of today.

Next Tuesday March 9. Midterm exam of 50 point. examen parcial de 50 puntos el 9 de marzo.