a collective

USAGE SUMMARY

"a collective" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of people who are working together or have a shared purpose or goal. For example: "The teachers had a collective goal to create an inspiring and enriching environment for the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a collective pain.

The New York Times

It's a collective experience".

The New York Times

It's a collective effort.

The New York Times

It was a collective effort.

Independent

It is a collective thing.

The New York Times - Sports

Education is a collective endeavor.

The New York Times

"It was a collective forgetting".

The New York Times - Arts

There was a collective shrug.

The New York Times

"Faculty" is a collective noun.

The New York Times

Football is a collective sport.

Independent

And now there was a collective groan.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a collective", ensure that the noun it modifies clearly represents a group of individuals acting together or sharing a common attribute. For example, "a collective decision" implies that a group made the decision together.

Common error

Avoid using "a collective" to describe something that is inherently singular or individual. For instance, saying "a collective thought" might be confusing if the thought is not shared among multiple individuals. Instead, consider using adjectives like 'unified' or 'shared' when referring to a single entity that reflects group consensus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a collective" typically functions as a determiner modifying a noun, indicating that the noun pertains to a group or is shared among a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage aligns with standard English grammar.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a collective" is a versatile phrase used to denote shared actions, responsibilities, or characteristics within a group. As Ludwig AI verifies, its usage is grammatically correct and widespread, particularly in news, media, and formal business contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the modified noun appropriately represents a group or a shared attribute, and avoid using it for singular entities. Alternatives such as ""a group effort"" or ""a joint endeavor"" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Its frequency and acceptance in authoritative sources make it a reliable choice for expressing group dynamics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a group effort

Emphasizes the combined work and contribution from multiple individuals.

a joint endeavor

Highlights the shared nature of an undertaking or project.

a shared responsibility

Focuses on the distributed accountability among individuals.

a communal activity

Suggests an activity done together within a community setting.

a collaborative project

Stresses the cooperation and teamwork involved in a project.

a team initiative

Highlights that the initiative is coming from a team

a concerted action

Emphasizes the coordinated nature of the action taken.

a unified approach

Focuses on the agreement and cohesiveness in strategy.

a combined effort

Indicates the merging of resources and energies.

a mutual undertaking

Stresses the reciprocal commitment in a project.

FAQs

How can I use "a collective" in a sentence?

You can use "a collective" to describe shared actions, responsibilities, or attributes of a group. For example, "It's "a collective effort"" or "There was "a collective sigh"".

What are some alternatives to using "a collective"?

Alternatives include "a group effort", "a joint endeavor", or "a shared responsibility", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a collective"?

It can be incorrect if you're describing something that is inherently singular or not related to a group. Ensure the noun you're modifying with "a collective" clearly represents a group acting together or sharing something in common.

What's the difference between "a collective" and "a communal"?

"A collective" generally refers to something shared or done by a group, whereas "a communal" often refers to something owned or used in common by a community. For example, "a collective decision" is made by a group, while "a communal garden" is shared by a community.