collective noun

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collective noun" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in grammar to refer to a word that represents a group of individuals or things as a single entity. Example: "The term 'team' is a collective noun that refers to a group of players working together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Faculty" is a collective noun.

The New York Times

What is the collective noun for egos?

The Guardian - Film

What is the collective noun for superheroes?

The New Yorker

Their collective noun is a "bloom" or a "swarm".

The Guardian

"Staff" is a collective noun; avoid treating it as plural.

The New York Times

What is the collective noun for left-arm spinners, OBOers?

The Guardian - Sport

A troop is a group, a collective noun.

The New York Times - Magazine

*I looked up the collective noun for wild boar.

The Guardian

What is the collective noun for Samuel Beckett plays?

The Guardian

What is the collective noun for intelligence chiefs?

The Guardian - Opinion

Plural and Collective Noun Phrases Katherine Ritchie 36.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using a "collective noun" as a subject, ensure verb agreement is consistent with whether you're treating the group as a single entity (singular verb) or as individual members (plural verb).

Common error

Avoid switching between singular and plural verb forms when referring to the same "collective noun" within a sentence or paragraph. Choose one approach and maintain consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collective noun" functions as a metalinguistic term within the field of grammar. It identifies a specific category of nouns that share the characteristic of referring to a group of entities. As Ludwig AI confirm, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "collective noun" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term that describes nouns representing a group of entities. As Ludwig AI confirm, this expression is valid. Our analysis, based on sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, shows that it commonly appears in news media and academic contexts. When using "collective nouns", pay attention to verb agreement, ensuring it reflects whether you treat the group as a single unit or as individual members. Related terms include "noun of multitude" and "group noun". By understanding the characteristics of "collective nouns", writers can enhance their precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

noun of multitude

This is a direct synonym, emphasizing the characteristic of the noun to represent a multitude.

noun of assemblage

Similar to noun of multitude, but emphasizing the act of assembling or gathering.

group noun

This alternative simplifies the term, focusing on the 'group' aspect of the noun.

aggregate noun

Highlights the fact that the noun represents an aggregation or collection of individual items.

class noun

This option emphasizes the classification aspect of the noun, referring to a class or category of things.

term for a group

This phrase shifts the focus to the purpose of naming a group, rather than the grammatical form.

name for a collection

Similar to 'term for a group', this emphasizes the naming of a collection of items.

word for a set

This phrase highlights the use of a word to represent a set of things.

lexical item for a group

This option uses more technical terminology to describe the same concept, focusing on the lexical aspect.

group designator

This alternative refers to the expression designating a group.

FAQs

How do I use "collective noun" in a sentence?

You can use "collective noun" to describe a word that represents a group, such as "family" or "team". For example, "'Team' is a "collective noun" that refers to a group of individuals working together."

What are some examples of collective nouns?

Examples of collective nouns include "team", "committee", "flock", "herd", and "group". These nouns, though singular in form, refer to a collection of individuals or items.

Is there a difference between a "collective noun" and a plural noun?

Yes, a "collective noun" refers to a group as a single entity, while a plural noun refers to multiple individual items or people. For instance, 'team' is a "collective noun", whereas 'players' is a plural noun.

How does the choice of verb tense affect the meaning of a sentence with a "collective noun"?

Using a singular verb emphasizes the group acting as a unit, while using a plural verb emphasizes the individual members of the group acting separately. For example, "The team is playing well" (unit) versus "The team are disagreeing about tactics" (individuals).