Subject-verb agreement can often be a tricky aspect of grammar to master. One particular area that can trip up even the most experienced writers is collective nouns. Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals or things, and they can pose challenges when it comes to choosing the correct verb form. In this article, we`ll look at some examples of collective nouns and how they affect subject-verb agreement.
1. Team
When it comes to the noun “team,” the verb form can depend on context. For example, if we`re talking about a soccer team playing a match, we might say “the team is playing well.” Here, “team” is acting as a single unit, so we use the singular verb form “is.” However, if we`re talking about team members individually, we might use the plural verb form: “the team are warming up before the game.”
2. Family
Like “team,” “family” can be both singular and plural. If we`re referring to the family as a unit, we would use the singular verb form: “my family is going on vacation next week.” But if we`re talking about family members individually, we would use the plural verb form: “my family are all very different from each other.”
3. Committee
When it comes to collective nouns like “committee,” it`s important to pay attention to the noun`s function in the sentence. If the committee is taking a specific action, we would use the singular verb form: “the committee has decided to table the proposal.” But if we`re talking about the individual members of the committee, we would use the plural verb form: “the committee members are still debating the issue.”
4. Company
Again, the verb form for “company” can depend on the context. If we`re talking about the company as a single entity, we would use the singular verb form: “the company is expanding its operations.” However, if we`re talking about employees within the company, we would use the plural verb form: “the company`s employees are all required to attend the meeting.”
5. Orchestra
When it comes to collective nouns like “orchestra,” it`s important to remember that the members are all working together as a single unit. That means we would use the singular verb form: “the orchestra is performing Mozart`s Symphony No. 40 tonight.”
In conclusion, collective nouns can pose challenges when it comes to subject-verb agreement. It`s important to remember that the context of the sentence is key in determining whether to use singular or plural verb forms. By paying attention to the function of the collective noun in your writing, you can ensure that your subject-verb agreement is correct.
