COLLECTIVE NOUNS: SINGULAR OR PLURAL?

What is the correct form: The family is traveling on holiday or The family are traveling on holiday?

The answer is both. Family is a collective noun.

But what is a collective noun?

They name groups [things] composed of members [usually people]. For example:



Each noun from the list above is a single thing. That thing, however, is made up of more than one person. You cannot have a committee, team, or family of one; you need at least two people who compose the unit.

Collective nouns accept verbs in the singular form:


All members of the team arrive at the same place, at the same time.


The teammates are dressing into their individual outfits and leaving in different directions for their individual homes.

Easy huh?

Have fun HERE and practice HERE.

See you!
J.