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Verb agreement with collective nouns:
A present-tense verb (and simple past form of the verb be) must agree in number with its subject. That is, the verb must be singular if its subject is singular, and plural if its subject is plural.
When to use a singular verb:
When all the members of a collective noun are performing an action as a single unit, use a singular verb.
Example:
1. A pack of wolves hunts as a group.
2. The family has moved into this bungalow.
3. The staff of the school was working very hard.
When to use a plural verb:
When the members of a collective noun are performing an action as individuals, use a plural verb. In this case, all or some members of the group are doing something independently of the other members; the group is not acting together as a unit.
Example:
1. Families enjoy this hotel.
2. The police have found Samira’s car.
3. People like to be made to feel important.
How we use a collective noun in sentences:
Example:
1. The Kathak dance group has been on tour for over three months.
2. Everyone in the audience applauded loudly when my daughter appeared on stage.
3. Our class took a field trip to the Zoo.
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