Definition
A collective noun is a noun that refers to a group of entities that may be considered either as individuals or as one larger entity.
Discussion
A collective noun may:
- agree grammatically with the verb either as a singular noun or as a plural noun, and
- take either a singular or plural pronoun.
Examples
(English)
Club
Examples:
- It is a large club.
- They are a large club.
Gang
Examples:
- The gang’s all here.
- The gang are all here.
Sources 4
- Crystal 1980, 68
- Hartmann and Stork 1972, 41
- Pei and Gaynor 1954, 41
- Mish 1991, 259