Examples of Subject-Verb Agreement Challenges with Collective Nouns in Sentences

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 👨‍🏫 Collective Nouns: These nouns refer to a group of individuals or things (e.g., team, family, committee).
• 🤝 Agreement Basics: Subject-verb agreement means the verb must match the subject in number (singular or plural).
• 🤔 Singular or Plural?: Collective nouns can be singular or plural depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individual members.
• ✅ Singular Usage: Use a singular verb when the group acts as a single unit (e.g., "The team *is* playing well.")
• 👯 Plural Usage: Use a plural verb when the members of the group act individually (e.g., "The team *are* arguing about their roles.")
• 🔑 Context is Key: The context of the sentence determines whether the collective noun is singular or plural.

Practice Quiz

1. Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement with a collective noun?
   1. A. The family are deciding on their vacation plans.
   2. B. The family is eating dinner together.
   3. C. The family are a large one.
   4. D. The family is always late.
2. Choose the sentence where the collective noun is treated as plural.
   1. A. The committee is meeting tomorrow.
   2. B. The committee is in agreement.
   3. C. The committee are submitting their individual reports.
   4. D. The committee is large.
3. Which sentence correctly uses a singular verb with a collective noun?
   1. A. The audience are clapping enthusiastically.
   2. B. The audience is enjoying the show.
   3. C. The audience are sharing their opinions.
   4. D. The audience is leaving.
4. Identify the sentence with incorrect subject-verb agreement.
   1. A. The jury is delivering its verdict.
   2. B. The jury are divided in their opinions.
   3. C. The jury is eating lunch.
   4. D. The jury are a united front.
5. Select the sentence where the collective noun is correctly treated as a single unit.
   1. A. The staff are working late tonight.
   2. B. The staff is dedicated to their jobs.
   3. C. The staff are submitting their timesheets.
   4. D. The staff are disagreeing.
6. Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?
   1. A. The flock of birds are flying south for the winter.
   2. B. The flock of birds is flying south for the winter.
   3. C. The flock of birds are large.
   4. D. The flock of birds is scattered.
7. Choose the sentence with the most appropriate subject-verb agreement for a collective noun.
   1. A. The group is having different ideas.
   2. B. The group are presenting a united front.
   3. C. The group is deciding on a leader.
   4. D. The group are large.