Does a collective noun take a plural or singular verb?

1 Answer
Sep 5, 2016

It may take either singular or plural depending on the form of the noun. See explanation.

Explanation:

If you write about a single group of things/animals then you use a singular noun:

Example: When I was walking in the forest I saw a flock of geese.

If you write about many groups then you use plural nouns:

Example: In autumn many flocks of birds fly to Africa.