Advanced English Grammar: Collective Nouns

www.engvid.com ARE the English police looking for you? Or IS the English police looking for you? In this English grammar lesson we will look at how to use collective nouns like STAFF and COUPLE, and of course, police, in the correct way with their matching verbs. Take a quiz on this lesson here: www.engvid.com/...
TRANSCRIPT
Hi, welcome again to www.engvid.com. I'm Adam. I have another great lesson for you today based on a request... a few requests actually from our www.engvid.com site. Today we're going to look at collective nouns. An example of a collective noun: "staff", "police", "audience", "family". These are nouns that might include individual members or be looked at as a whole unit. Okay? So: "staff" means the total group of employees or it could mean each individual employee. So, now you're thinking: "Okay, well, good. What's the problem?" The problem is: what verb do you use with these nouns? Do you use a singular verb or do you use a plural verb? Okay?
So, for example: do you say: "The staff was invited to the BBQ." or do you say: "The staff were invited to the BBQ."? I'm afraid I have to tell you there's actually no rule that decides this. What decides this is you. What do you want to say? What is your intention? Do you want to talk about the individuals or do you want to talk about the group? So, for example, look at this sentence: "My staff consists of young and old alike." "Alike" is basically like "both", both young and old. Now, why am I using the singular? Because here, I'm talking about my entire staff, my whole collection of employees. Right? So I'm probably going to use the singular because I'm talking about the one unit. Here, I could say both; I could say: "My staff", my entire unit of employees or I could talk about all the individual people who work for me were invited to the BBQ. So, again, it's more about what you want to intend... What you want to say, what you intend. Sorry, you don't want to intend anything. Okay?
Here's another example: "My family are going to be citizens soon." "My family was invited to a wedding." I have a plural, I have the singular; it depends what you want to say. "My family" - means all the members of my family - "are going to be citizens soon." It makes a bit more sense when you also have the plural here, "are" and "citizens". It sounds a little bit more natural. "My family was invited to the wedding." The Smiths, we... My family is the Smiths, so when the invitation came, the Smiths are cordially invited to attend the wedding of Jack and Jill who last week went up the hill. I'm not sure if you know this little poem. Anyway, so the same thing goes for "police", "audience", "couple", "faculty". Lots of collective nouns. Depends what you want to say. Now, usually... And keep in mind: this is also difficult for native English speakers to decide which one. Keep in mind that usually in the U.S. and Canada, most people will automatically choose the singular: "The staff is", "The police is", again, depending on the situation. In the U.K., they will naturally or usually go for the plural: "The staff are", "The police are".
Now, again, let's look at: "police". I'll give you two examples. Somebody was bothering my neighbour. Okay? And like they were like making noise. My neighbour asked the person to leave. The person wouldn't leave, so she called the police. They - the police - they came and removed this person. But, I have to be very careful driving these days because the police is cracking down on texters; people who drive and text. I don't do that, but I've seen them around. Right? So this... You have to be careful which meaning you want to use. Sometimes it'll be very natural, like I would only use the singular here because I'm talking about the whole unit. Here, both okay. Do you want to talk about the individuals? Do you want to talk about the group, the whole group? Now, if you want to be specific, if you very clearly want to show that you're talking about the individuals, add a word: "staff members", "family members", "police officers". If you add these words that show the individuals, you will have absolutely no problem. If I say: "staff members", obviously the verb will be plural because this is now the main subject. And "staff" becomes the adjective, "family" becomes the adjective. Okay? If I say: "police officers", "police" becomes the adjective, this is my subject, and I'm going to use a plural verb. If I want to say one person, one police officer, then of course I'm going to be talking... using the singular. Okay? So, again, very straightforward. Whatever you intend to do, that's what will help you choose the verb. But if you're not sure, go to: www.engvid.com. There's a quiz there where you can get a little bit more practice. And, of course, visit my KZbin site, subscribe if you like. And I'll see you again real soon.

[@erikgalajdask]

Normally, I used to tell these collective nouns in singular, because I thought it's incorrect to tell them in plural, but actually after this lesson it is clearer for me, that this group consists of many people and in this way it's possible to tell it in plural, thank you of such a topic of lesson, because I was confused about that since I've heard my teacher telling it in plural in the English lesson at school :)

[@manalsugadol2121]

You are amazing Sir Adam! I easily learned the topic. Hopefully, there will be more videos of you! You are now my favorite video teacher. 🔏

[@souadbenabdallah7763]

Hi.sister can you comunicate to learn english

[@souadbenabdallah7763]

Manal sugadol

[@SumedhaManabaranaKandy]

Adam, you're amazing. Yes, rules are there, but the time you apply them, you could go wrong, especially because rules may change depending on the country, region, etc. My 29 years of teaching (English) tells me that books are not enough to understand everything. Maybe OK, generally, but not enough to teach advanced classes, for example. There are different types of writing styles. For example, editors may refer to the Chicago Manual of Style for recommendations on editorial style and publishing practices. It's something huge. Thank you, Adam!

[@Khakee27222]

Sir a lecture on Abstract Noun please. This is Muzzamil from Pakistan 🇵🇰 love you from the bottom of my heart. You are the best teacher on this planet.

[@vannnary8621]

Adam is the best teacher on earth.

[@aqsariaz4564]

Amazing 😍.....I have a question.... Which verb we will use the the collective noun"jury"Does it give the sense of dispersion...?

[@safwatahmed6041]

No jury is a group of...... Like in a court there is a.... Jury of people to say there problem Did it help?

[@jimmynoronha9959]

Very well explained, made easy to understand the lesson. My doubt is gone with the wind.

[@reddzz._]

Jimmy Noronha

[@__dumplinggsolace]

Rrreeeee

[@user-lh2gb8um4p]

I was having collectivenouns test but I saw your video is easy to study thanks for it.

[@carmen28071]

Excellent as always. Thank you Adam.

[@elenacarra5863]

se cuoi posso darti le patatine ma andiamoin pizzeria

[@skfazlulhaquemanir4334]

Police, people etc. are some of the collectives those are exceptions. We know collective nouns may be used as singular or plural in sentences depending on the context. But these collective nouns 'Police', 'People' etc. are always used as plural in sentences. More examples of such collectives are: luggage, furniture, clothing, crockery, brick, poetry, machinery, folk, cattle, poultry, vermin, clergy, peasantry, gentry, nobility, majority etc.

[@user-le1rr8ls1e]

Thank you so much for making this video so clear and detailed!

[@tahanithespirit7790]

Hello, Mr. Adam I hope we get a chance to have a lesson with explaining the past perfect and past perfect progressive. Tell now I find it difficult to understand them both ..

[@nuridkrimova5220]

You are a very good teacher

[@kotoritokio]

I really love how you teach us ❤ thank u Adam

[@LG-lb7sf]

I just sent this to my French husband because he does not understand the rules for collective nouns... I know this video will help with future headaches about English grammar, thanks!

[@IrenicElegance]

+Laurette Illy Sorry, but this is actually wrong...

[@IrenicElegance]

Sorry... but there is a rule. There are three sections of nouns within this grammar: countable, uncountable and collective. You are mixing these. The word "police" is uncountable; the only way to make it countable is to add a countable word like "officer" in the same way that you say "a cup of water" or "slice of bread." Family is collective because it includes more than one member within the family. It is possible to have a plural collective noun (our families = your family (all the members) and my family (all the members). It is NOT possible to have an uncountable plural noun (XpolicesX) unless you add a countable word (police OFFICERS).

[@inamullah3138]

IrenicElegance

[@chrissystewart6268]

Thanks teacher I hope I passed my GED when its time your videos help me studied I love the way you teach sir It helps me to understand & comprehend more better than when I was in school I could concentrate better

[@nandeeshyd8945]

Hi Adam.... I am really enjoying your lessons.. thank you so much... Please help me to understand the words WHO and WHOM better.. I am little confused to use them in my everyday conversation. Especially while framing the questions... Can I expect a lesson on them???

[@cr3at0rhuhh]

Thank you you made me learn!

[@fernandoromerofernandez9363]

you are a very good Teacher

[@Sarahincowbay]

So much fun to learn. Thank you!

[@bobtang617]

easily understood, thank you , sir.

[@user-be8ew3td1n]

So it depends on me, If I want to talk about the whole collection, I will use the collective noun as singe but If I want to talk about the individuals of the collection, I should use the plural form as in The teams are playing very well and my staff work together.

[@Ashiqali-cn5fm]

You are the great teacher Dear Adam

[@ludmilastrelnikova7465]

Thank you Adam. It's very useful to know.

[@faizaqanbar6954]

your explanation is so clear , thank you very much

[@bennattalmeida9496]

I just wanna to say thank you for all you lessons videos, i can understand and learning, thank you very much!!!

[@user-dd7ol8jd4w]

It's very useful video for me. Adam explains in detail. Thanks for it!

[@rmcastro99]

what about people? singular or plural?

[@user-jd6cb1wg4k]

Спасибо за четкую речь!

[@nadafares4916]

🎉

[@sudanhala]

Dear Adam your teaching is verey good I like it.

[@AmenDaniel-hb6qw]

Thanks for the tutorial.

[@exploringfacts1976]

sir will you please tell me about compact and non compact collective noun

[@tamirsigal4801]

Thank you! This video is helpful!

[@user-dw5iu8gm1j]

Thanks for a thorough explanation!

[@sangitashilpi2638]

Adam you're a great teacher. You explain everything so clearly. Keep it up!

[@firstallll]

It was wonderful and informing.

[@jayrenguo3294]

Mr Adam is a amazing at explaining

[@leisuretime842]

Thank you very much. I earlier I am confused this. Now i can managed it. Thanks a lot

[@viktormartynuk895]

Thanks 😊👍

[@user-ib7wo4yg5g]

many many thanks to you your lessons really very clear and very helpful we will always wait for more from you

[@yassminkiwan2228]

I like to lern collective nouns❤❤❤

[@mayakumari102]

Sir which helping verbs do we use with cattle ? Cattle has been grazing Or Cattle have been grazing. Are both correct?

[@mandyemais]

Great! I was searching this subject yesterday.

[@OGornbo]

Ah, oi! Vou me inscrever no seu canal. :D

[@mandyemais]

Gornbo Obrigada!

[@soumeisa]

Useful video. Thanks for it

[@user-mt1tm8rq5w]

Well job, the Best teacher ever

[@Wmillhet]

Awesome teacher

[@albertojorgegarcia7695]

I'm a professor in México and It helped me a lot this. I was kind of confused for a while haha

[@tabareschitor.6385]

Adam... I wish your my english teacher

[@abdullahk8691]

I'm a teacher and you have a new subscriber lol

[@akjdon48]

Small but marvelous, You guys are doing a great job.! Thanks Donald

[@sulochanapathirana2650]

you are grateful

[@pavelsmirnov_]

*This is my thirty-fifth lesson!*

[@safwatahmed6041]

Dodo?

[@hussainabbas3458]

a new useful information , thank you so much Adam .

[@Tmmmmmm4511]

Thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏

[@shohrehsarem9571]

Thanks 4 sharing ❤

[@jantesar1943]

Thank you for a nice explanation Adam.

[@erin-mr3vv]

can you make a video on analysing text with parts of speech

[@kittychelsea2649]

I have to say police is always a plural form, 'the police are chasing the kill' . If you want to use a singular form, you have to say 'a policeman or a policewoman'

[@paulooliveira-io3xc]

Thank you, Adam!

[@relaxingdreamland6170]

Hello Adam. Thank you for the lesson. I have a question. Is it right: peoples' independence? or it must be people's independence?

[@IrenicElegance]

+Shaig Kazimov Since "people" is already plural, you would say: people's independence. It would be the same with children (irregular plural): children's toys

[@princeimran7118]

Both are ri8 but there is a little difference in meaning

[@himaliadhikari7316]

Sir. a group of players packets of milk When there is a collective noun (a group , packets ) how can we divide it into countable and uncountable ? Plz explain

[@md.imranhossain6959]

Thank You Sir💖

[@eloizaweiss5432]

Great. Thanks a lot.

[@pappumali6150]

Many many thanks to you, sir. This is a very nice class. I eat rice. Here what kind of noun is rice? Please tell me.

[@lanaefremova3443]

I like this explanation, thans

[@iracibueno5937]

very good explanations. Thanks

[@xxxROCKADIKTOxxx]

Thank's for the lesson!!! very helpful!!! Anyway I have a little confusion about some collective nouns like "people", "everybody", "nobody" ... In my language (spanish) we always conjugate collective nouns with singular verbs but in english it's strange because some words like "people" are generally conjugated with plurals but words like "everybody" are with singulars... Is it posible, for example, to use the word "people" with a verb in singular or the word "everybody" with a verb in plural??? thanks for the help!!!

[@xxxROCKADIKTOxxx]

sorry it's thanks not thank's :)

[@legaleagle46]

+xxxROCKADIKTOxxx No. "People" is usually considered plural in English (the singular is "person"), so it takes a plural verb, unlike "la gente" in Spanish. And "everybody" is considered singular because it literally means "every body," that is, "each individual body." The problem arises when "everybody" is used as the antecedent for a personal pronoun, because "everybody" has no specific gender, and many people feel that the default masculine singular pronoun "he" is sexist. That's why there's been a growing trend to break the general rule and use "they" as if if were a singular pronoun when the antecedent is "everybody" in order to avoid the gender problem

[@arunkaiser]

Really great Lesson Mr. Adam

[@ghada12184]

Thank you for the clarification! but i thought the term "Police" is always plural and never takes a singular verb!

[@asmaaali2534]

thank you for your video

[@SH-bm7yp]

جعلك تسلم ياشيخ ع الشرح الجميل ذا❤️😭

[@jnhim454]

This video is so helpful. thanks

[@quratulainshaukat3576]

Can you please tell us whether people is a collective noun or not??

[@fidelinacabrera847]

hi Adam I really like your videos, because they 're interesting, useful . I have a question for you I don't have time to go to school what do you suggest me study on line?

[@Salwa-Alnkhli]

أسمك جميل ي آدم .... اريد ان اسالك هل تتحدث العربية ؟ أريد أن اتواصل معك لتساعدني في تعلم قواعد الانجليزي.

[@ikramnayrin8603]

سلوى النخلي I Can help

[@RezyBlack]

thanks. it's good.

[@archanada9115]

Very knowledgable cideo

[@mathmania_since]

Plz upload a video on Grammer errors in compitition exams Like parsing

[@antoineghannoum]

Hello! There is an oversight here. The "police" is always plural .

[@oliviatownes8383]

Then is a noun of multitude the same as the a collective noun ?

[@MemoBosqueVEVO]

Very useful

[@marcolozado9690]

it's very interesting

[@elenacarra5863]

andiamo in pizzeria cosi le patatine e la pizza le offro io 💖💖💖💖💖 andiamo a cena domani?????? la pizza e' buona con il salamino italiano and then we eat the pizza

[@MrPhamhuutam]

Thanks a lot! Adam :D

[@elenacarra5863]

actually his name is Giovanni and he is my husband 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@daianaguzman8771]

Muchísimas gracias!! Se entiende perfectamente

[@rigelkent8828]

Es una gran lección ❤️

[@leonelmoreno3894]

is it the same with names of countries?

[@bnusabeel]

Well done, Sir!

[@samanehaslani1672]

❤️❤️❤️Thanks

[@ammarali6509]

Good job

[@mr.nobody6829]

How about the word "people", should its verbs always be plural? BTW, it's reassuring to know that native speakers also have difficulties on this matter.

[@neethukuriakose4951]

I need lecture regarding countable and uncountable nouns

[@chiragvyas6633]

We can say that collective noun can be common noun

[@lakshmanankomathmanalath]

Great. Thank you.

[@polinacdm4747]

I thought there was examples

[@JussiKuokkanen]

Amazing for business English...

[@SuGaRyBLoSsOm]

very helpful ... thanks a lot

[@healing.meditation1111]

wow really thankful your explain so easyer:-)

[@ximenazea524]

Thank you Gabriela!

[@elenacarra5863]

Gabriela is my sister 🤔🤔🤔🤔 how do you know her? give me your letter so I will give it to Gabriela if you want

[@Laacibtv2024]

Cheers,mate

[@simom.6678]

Thank you!