English for Students

Collective Nouns

Should I use A Singular or A Plural Verb with Collective Nouns such as government, committee and family?


Such nouns are used to refer both to a whole group as a singular entity and to the members of the group. The context may therefore require flexibility. You might write:


• The committee has now come to a decision.


But you could hardly use a singular verb in this sentence.


• The committee have now taken their seats. (WRONG)


A pedant might insist on writing : The members of the committee have now taken their seats.


In some contexts it is natural and idiomatic to use a plural verb with a noun which is singular in form:


• I have invited my family to tea and they are coming on Friday


• Leeds United are winning. They have just scored.


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