Dictionary of English - collective noun

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A collective noun, or group noun, is a noun which designates a group of people or animals. Crew, committee, gang, government, audience, family, and herd are all collective nouns.

When such a group is considered as a single unit, its collective noun is used with a singular verb and singular pronouns: The committee has reached its decision. But when the focus is on the individual members of the group, British English tends to use a plural verb and plural pronouns with its collective nouns: The committee have been arguing all morning over what they should do. American English usually uses a singular verb and pronouns in these circumstances.

A determiner in front of a singular collective noun is always singular: this committee, never these committee (but of course when the collective noun is pluralized, it takes a plural determiner: these committees).

The George Cross was awarded by King George VI and originally appeared in a small blue canton. The present design dates from 1964 when the islands gained independence. Effective date: 21 September 1964. >>