In this article we’re going to dive deeper into the topic and try to answer the question “How is a Noun a Collective Noun?”, since they’re a sub-type of nouns that function differently.
Collective nouns are countable nouns that usually function in the singular form and they represent a large group of people and things.
Can a noun be collective?
Yes, nouns can be collective in nature.
Examples-
1. Quiver of arrows- The ancient warriors always carried a quiver of arrows with themselves.
- The term ‘quiver of arrow’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘quiver’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘arrows’.
2. Team of players- The team of players are finally geared up for the final matches.
- The term ‘team of players’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘team’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘players’.
3. Gang of prisoners- A gang of prisoners have been let loose.
- The term ‘gang of prisoners’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘gang’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘prisoners’.
4. Class of students- This floor has the best class of students that we have.
- The term ‘class of students’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘class’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘students’.
5. String of horses- We saw a string of horses on our way over here.
- The term ‘string of horses’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘string’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘horses’.
6. Board of directors- The final decision is being deliberated by the board of directors.
- The term ‘board of directors’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘board’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘directors’.
7. Heap of rubbish- Whatever story she told us was just a heap of rubbish as it had no truth to it.
- The term ‘heap of rubbish’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘heap’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘rubbish’.
When is a noun collective?
A noun is collective in nature when it represents a larger number of people, objects or animals.
Examples-
8. Party of friends- I went to the amusement park with a party of friends.
- The term ‘party of friends’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘party’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘friends’.
9. Bowl of cereal- I fixed myself a bowl of cereal as a midnight snack.
- The term ‘bowl of cereal’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘bowl’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘cereal’.
10. Crew of sailors- The crew od sailors were singing a bunch of nautical songs.
- The term ‘crew of sailors’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘crew’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘sailors’.
11. Forest of trees- I once walked through a forest of trees during the evening time.
- The term ‘forest of trees’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘forest’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘trees’.
12. Library of books- I wish to own a private library of books once I buy my own house.
- The term ‘library of books’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘library’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘books’.
13. Fleet of ship- This fleet of ship has been long abandoned and is now just a tourist spot.
- The term ‘fleet of ship’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘fleet’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘ship’.
14. Bale of cotton- Can a whole shirt be made out of just one bale of cotton?
- The term ‘bale of cotton’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘bale’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘cotton’.
How to use collective noun?
A collective noun can be used to refer to a group of any form of entity.
Examples-
15. Bunch of keys- I have lost my bunch of keys and can’t seem to find it anywhere.
- The term ‘bunch of keys’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘bunch’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘keys’.
16. Bowl of rice- We all ate some lentils with a bowl of rice on the side.
- The term ‘bowl of rice’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘bowl’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘rice’.
17. Basket of fruits- They brought a basket of fruits for the picnic.
- The term ‘basket of fruits’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘basket’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘fruits’.
18. Chest of drawers- Please check that chest of drawers and see if you can find my comb in there.
- The term ‘chest of drawers’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘chest’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘drawers’.
19. Batch of bread- A finally baked my last batch of bread.
- The term ‘batch of bread’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘batch’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘bread’.
20. Host of angels- The people of this town are like a host of angels.
- The term ‘host of angels’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘host’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘angels’.
21. Group of islands- These group of islands you see on the map here are uninhabited.
- The term ‘group of islands’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘group’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘islands’.
When to use collective noun?
A collective noun can be used to refer to a large group of people, places or things when one does not know the definite number of said people, places and things.
Examples-
22. Cast of actors- The cast of actors did a fantastic job in the play.
- The term ‘cast of actors’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘cast’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘actors’.
23. Cloud of dust- A cloud of dust rose up while the helicopter was taking off.
- The term ‘cloud of dust’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘cloud’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘dust’.
24. Wad of cash- I found this wad of cash on the floor and need to know who it belongs to.
- The term ‘wad of cash’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘wad’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘cash’.
25. Reel of film- There is only one reel of film available for shooting.
- The term ‘reel of film’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘reel’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘film’.
26. Ream of paper- We might need a whole ream of paper for the project.
- The term ‘ream of paper’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘ream’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘paper’.
27. Staff of employees- The staff of employees needs a long vacation because of all the work they’ve put in.
- The term ‘staff of employees’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘staff’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘employees’.
28. Bouquet of flowers- We brought our aunt a bouquet of flowers.
- The term ‘bouquet of flowers’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘bouquet’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘flowers’.
Why to use collective noun?
A collective noun can be used as it helps in laying out information about a larger number of entities in a concise manner.
Examples-
29. Zoo of animals- This place seems like a zoo of animals even though it isn’t actually an official zoo.
- The term ‘zoo of animals’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘zoo’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘animals’.
30. Galaxy of stars- She loves looking up at the galaxy of stars at night.
- The term ‘galaxy of stars’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘galaxy’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘stars’.
31. Set of utensils- I bought a set of utensils for my new apartment.
- The term ‘set of utensils’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘set’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘utensils’.
32. Bundle of sticks- The children have been collecting a bundle of sticks each as a form of exercise.
- The term ‘bundle of sticks’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘bundle’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘sticks’.
33. Anthology of poems- This poet has written the best anthology of poems I’ve ever read.
- The term ‘anthology of poems’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘anthology’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘poems’.
34. Panel of experts- The panel of experts are in the process of making a decision about the scholarship grant.
- The term ‘panel of experts’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘panel’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘experts’.
35. Pile of clothes- Please pick up the glass that’s been sitting behind that huge pile of clothes.
- The term ‘pile of clothes’ is a collective noun.
- The term ‘pile’ is the collective word that represents a larger group, in this case ‘clothes’.
Conclusion
Therefore, the answer to the question “How is a Noun a Collective Noun?” is that it has a specific set of functions just like other forms of grammar in the English Language.
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