Subject verb agreement collective nouns worksheet with answers – Embark on a journey to master subject-verb agreement with collective nouns! This comprehensive worksheet, accompanied by insightful answers, unveils the intricacies of this grammatical concept, empowering you to navigate the complexities of language with confidence.
Delve into the world of collective nouns, exploring their diverse forms and the nuances of subject-verb agreement. Discover the general rules and exceptions that govern these unique nouns, equipping yourself with the knowledge to construct grammatically sound sentences.
Subject-Verb Agreement with Collective Nouns: Subject Verb Agreement Collective Nouns Worksheet With Answers
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar. It ensures that the verb in a sentence matches the number and person of its subject. Collective nouns, which refer to groups of people or things, can be particularly challenging when it comes to subject-verb agreement.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of subject-verb agreement with collective nouns, including common challenges faced by students and clear rules and examples to help you master this grammatical concept.
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns are nouns that refer to a group of people or things as a single unit. Examples include:
- Team
- Committee
- Audience
- Family
- Crowd
Collective nouns can be further classified into three types:
- Group nouns:Refer to a group of people or things that act as a single unit, such as “team” or “family.”
- Team nouns:Refer to a group of people who work together, such as “committee” or “crew.”
- Crowd nouns:Refer to a large group of people gathered together, such as “audience” or “crowd.”
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
The general rule for subject-verb agreement with collective nouns is that the verb agrees with the number of the group as a whole, not the individual members. For example:
The team isplaying well.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule:
- When the collective noun refers to individual members of the group, the verb should be plural.
- When the collective noun is preceded by “some” or “all,” the verb should be plural.
- When the collective noun is followed by “of” and a plural noun, the verb should be plural.
The committee arediscussing the proposal.
Some of the audience areleaving.
The team of scientists areworking on the project.
Worksheet
Complete the following exercises to practice subject-verb agreement with collective nouns:
- The jury ________ (is, are) deliberating on the case.
- The audience ________ (is, are) cheering for the team.
- Some of the committee ________ (is, are) absent today.
- The group of students ________ (is, are) working on the project.
- The team of doctors ________ (is, are) treating the patient.
Answer Key, Subject verb agreement collective nouns worksheet with answers
- is
- is
- are
- is
- are
Explanation:
- In the first sentence, “jury” is a collective noun that refers to a group of people acting as a single unit. Therefore, the verb “is” is correct.
- In the second sentence, “audience” is a collective noun that refers to a group of people gathered together. Therefore, the verb “is” is correct.
- In the third sentence, “some” indicates that the sentence is referring to individual members of the committee. Therefore, the verb “are” is correct.
- In the fourth sentence, “group” is a collective noun that refers to a group of people acting as a single unit. Therefore, the verb “is” is correct.
- In the fifth sentence, “team” is a collective noun that is followed by “of” and a plural noun. Therefore, the verb “are” is correct.
Additional Resources
- Khan Academy: Subject-Verb Agreement with Collective Nouns
- Grammarly: Subject-Verb Agreement with Collective Nouns
- Merriam-Webster: Subject-Verb Agreement with Collective Nouns
Tips for Teachers:
- Use clear and concise examples to explain the rules of subject-verb agreement with collective nouns.
- Provide students with plenty of practice exercises to reinforce the concepts.
- Encourage students to use collective nouns in their own writing and check for correct subject-verb agreement.
Questions Often Asked
What are collective nouns?
Collective nouns refer to groups of people, animals, or things considered as a single unit, such as “team,” “herd,” or “audience.”
How do I determine the correct verb form for collective nouns?
In general, collective nouns take singular verbs when referring to the group as a whole and plural verbs when emphasizing individual members.
What are the exceptions to the general rule?
Exceptions arise when the collective noun conveys a sense of plurality, such as “the committee is divided” or when it is preceded by “some” or “all,” resulting in plural verb usage.