Blog about English
Nouns referring to groups of people, animals or things.
A collective noun refers to a group of people, animals, or things as a single unit.
Examples include team, family, government, audience, committee, and staff.
The team is ready for the game.
Команда готова к игре.
"Team" is a collective noun because it refers to a group as a unit.
My family lives in Texas.
Моя семья живет в Техасе.
"Family" refers to a group of people as one unit.
The committee has made a decision.
Комитет принял решение.
"Committee" is a collective noun for a group of people working together.
The audience was quiet during the speech.
Зрители молчали во время выступления.
"Audience" refers to a group of people watching or listening.
The government announced a new policy.
Правительство объявило о новой политике.
"Government" can refer to the whole governing body as one unit.
The staff works together to help customers.
Персонал работает вместе, чтобы помогать клиентам.
"Staff" refers collectively to the employees of an organization.
A flock of birds flew over the lake.
Стая птиц пролетела над озером.
"Flock" is a collective noun for a group of birds.
A set of tools is in the garage.
Набор инструментов находится в гараже.
"Set" can refer collectively to a group of related objects.
Collective nouns can refer to groups of people who share an activity, role, or organization.
Examples include team, committee, audience, class, staff, and company.
The team is practicing after school.
Команда тренируется после школы.
"Team" refers to a group of people working toward the same goal.
The committee meets every Monday.
Комитет собирается каждый понедельник.
"Committee" refers to a group organized to make decisions.
The audience was laughing at the comedian.
Зрители смеялись над комиком.
"Audience" refers to all the people watching the performance.
The class starts at nine.
Занятие начинается в девять.
"Class" can refer to a group of students as a unit.
The staff is preparing for the inspection.
Персонал готовится к проверке.
"Staff" refers collectively to the employees.
The company has a large sales team.
В компании большая команда отдела продаж.
"Team" identifies a group of employees with a shared function.
The jury reached a decision after several hours.
Жюри приняло решение после нескольких часов.
"Jury" is a collective noun for the members deciding a case.
The board approved the proposal yesterday.
Совет директоров одобрил предложение вчера.
"Board" refers collectively to the members of a governing body.
English has many conventional collective nouns for groups of animals.
Examples include a flock of birds, a herd of cattle, a pack of wolves, and a school of fish.
A flock of birds landed in the field.
Стая птиц приземлилась в поле.
"Flock" is a conventional collective noun for birds.
A herd of cattle was grazing near the farm.
Стадо крупного рогатого скота паслось возле фермы.
"Herd" is commonly used for cattle.
A pack of wolves was moving through the forest.
Стая волков двигалась по лесу.
"Pack" is a conventional collective noun for wolves.
A school of fish was swimming near the boat.
Косяк рыб плыл возле лодки.
"School" can refer collectively to a group of fish.
A swarm of bees gathered near the hive.
Рой пчел собрался возле улья.
"Swarm" is commonly used for a large group of insects such as bees.
A pride of lions rested under the trees.
Прайд львов отдыхал под деревьями.
"Pride" is a conventional collective noun for lions.
A colony of penguins covered the shore.
Колония пингвинов покрывала берег.
"Colony" can refer to a large group of animals living together.
A litter of puppies was sleeping in a box.
Выводок щенков спал в коробке.
"Litter" refers to a group of young animals born at the same time.
Some nouns refer collectively to groups of objects or abstract items.
Examples include a bunch of keys, a set of tools, and a collection of books.
I found a bunch of keys on the table.
Я нашел связку ключей на столе.
"Bunch" refers collectively to a group of similar objects.
The mechanic has a set of tools in the truck.
У механика в грузовике есть набор инструментов.
"Set" refers to several related objects used together.
The museum has a collection of paintings.
В музее есть коллекция картин.
"Collection" refers to a group of objects gathered together.
She bought a bunch of flowers.
Она купила букет цветов.
"Bunch" can refer to a group of flowers.
We received a stack of papers from the office.
Мы получили стопку бумаг из офиса.
"Stack" refers to objects arranged one on top of another.
A pile of clothes was on the floor.
На полу лежала куча одежды.
"Pile" refers to a group of objects collected in one place.
He kept a bundle of old letters in a box.
Он хранил связку старых писем в коробке.
"Bundle" refers to several things tied or grouped together.
The library owns a collection of rare books.
Библиотека владеет коллекцией редких книг.
"Collection" identifies the books as a group.
A collective noun can take a singular verb when the group is viewed as a single unit.
For example, The team is winning and The committee has reached a decision.
The team is ready for the final game.
Команда готова к финальной игре.
American English generally uses singular agreement when the team is viewed as one unit.
The family is visiting us this weekend.
Семья навестит нас в эти выходные.
"Family" is viewed as a single unit here.
The committee has reached a decision.
Комитет принял решение.
"Committee" is treated as one decision-making body.
The audience was completely silent.
Зрители были совершенно тихими.
"Audience" is treated as one group.
The government has announced a new plan.
Правительство объявило о новом плане.
"Government" is treated as a single institution in this sentence.
The staff is working late tonight.
Персонал сегодня работает допоздна.
The collective noun "staff" is treated as one workforce.
The class is taking a test today.
Сегодня класс пишет контрольную работу.
"Class" is viewed as one group of students.
The board has approved the budget.
Совет директоров утвердил бюджет.
"Board" is treated as one governing body.
In British English, collective nouns can take plural verbs when the individuals within the group are being emphasized.
For example, The team are wearing different shirts and The government are divided on the issue.
The team are wearing different shirts.
Члены команды одеты в разные футболки.
This plural agreement is possible in British English when individual members are emphasized.
The family are arguing about where to go.
Члены семьи спорят о том, куда пойти.
British English can use plural agreement when family members are viewed separately.
The committee are divided over the proposal.
Члены комитета разделились во мнениях по поводу предложения.
Plural agreement emphasizes the individual members of the committee.
The government are divided on the issue.
Члены правительства разделились во мнениях по этому вопросу.
This pattern is characteristic of British usage and is not the normal American pattern.
The staff are taking their seats.
Сотрудники занимают свои места.
British English can use plural agreement when individual staff members are emphasized.
The audience are finding their seats.
Зрители занимают свои места.
Plural agreement is possible in British English when the individuals are foregrounded.
The team are celebrating in different parts of the city.
Члены команды празднуют в разных частях города.
The plural verb emphasizes separate actions by members of the team.
The class are working on their own projects.
Ученики класса работают каждый над своим проектом.
British English may use plural agreement when individual students are emphasized.
American English generally favors singular agreement with collective nouns, while British English permits singular or plural agreement depending on whether the group or its individual members are emphasized.
For example, The family is visiting in common American usage, while The family are arguing can occur in British English when the members are viewed separately.
The family is visiting us this weekend.
Семья навестит нас в эти выходные.
American English normally favors singular agreement with collective nouns.
The team is playing tonight.
Команда играет сегодня вечером.
This singular pattern is standard American usage when the team is one unit.
The committee has reached a decision.
Комитет принял решение.
American English commonly treats the committee as a singular body.
The government is considering a new law.
Правительство рассматривает новый закон.
Singular agreement is normal in American English.
In British English, the team are changing their uniforms.
В британском английском члены команды переодеваются в форму.
British English may use plural agreement when the individual members are emphasized.
In American English, the team is changing its uniform.
В американском английском команда меняет свою форму.
American English strongly favors singular agreement when the team is viewed as a unit.
British English can say, "The family are arguing."
В британском английском можно сказать: «Члены семьи спорят».
The plural form emphasizes the separate family members.
American English normally says, "The family is arguing."
В американском английском обычно говорят: «Семья спорит».
American English normally uses singular agreement with "family".
Team and family can be followed by singular or plural verbs depending on variety and whether the group is viewed as a unit or as individuals.
For example, The team is ready emphasizes the unit, while The team are changing their clothes emphasizes individual members.
The team is ready.
Команда готова.
"Team" is viewed as one unit.
The team is traveling to Chicago tomorrow.
Команда завтра едет в Чикаго.
The team is treated as a single group.
The team members are changing their clothes.
Члены команды переодеваются.
Using "team members" makes the plural meaning explicit in American English.
My family is coming for dinner.
Моя семья придет на ужин.
"Family" is treated as one unit in American English.
My family members are choosing their seats.
Члены моей семьи выбирают свои места.
"Family members" explicitly refers to individuals.
The team has won five games this season.
Команда выиграла пять игр в этом сезоне.
The team is treated as one sports unit.
Our family is planning a trip to Colorado.
Наша семья планирует поездку в Колорадо.
Singular agreement is natural in American English.
In British English, "The team are changing their clothes" can emphasize the individual players.
В британском английском фраза «The team are changing their clothes» может подчеркивать отдельных игроков.
British English permits plural agreement in this interpretation.
Collective nouns such as government, committee, and staff can show variation in agreement according to dialect and meaning.
For example, The committee has decided focuses on the committee as a body, while The committee are divided focuses on its members.
The government has announced a new program.
Правительство объявило о новой программе.
American English normally treats "government" as a singular body.
The committee has reached a decision.
Комитет принял решение.
"Committee" is treated as a single decision-making body.
The staff is preparing for the event.
Персонал готовится к мероприятию.
Singular agreement is common in American English.
The committee members disagree about the proposal.
Члены комитета не согласны по поводу предложения.
"Committee members" explicitly refers to individuals and takes plural agreement.
The staff members are reviewing the applications.
Сотрудники проверяют заявки.
"Staff members" explicitly identifies individual employees.
In British English, the committee are divided over the proposal.
В британском английском члены комитета разделились во мнениях по поводу предложения.
Plural agreement emphasizes the individual members and is characteristic of British usage.
In American English, the committee is divided over the proposal.
В американском английском комитет разделился во мнениях по поводу предложения.
American English normally retains singular agreement even when disagreement within the group is emphasized.
The government is divided over the proposed changes.
Правительство разделилось во мнениях по поводу предложенных изменений.
American English normally uses singular agreement with "government".
Police is normally treated as a plural noun in standard English and is followed by a plural verb.
For example, The police are investigating the incident.
The police are investigating the robbery.
Полиция расследует ограбление.
"Police" is normally treated as plural and takes "are".
The police have closed the street.
Полиция перекрыла улицу.
"Police" takes the plural auxiliary "have".
The police were called after the accident.
После аварии вызвали полицию.
"Police" takes the plural verb "were".
The police are looking for a witness.
Полиция ищет свидетеля.
"Police" is grammatically plural in this use.
The police have asked anyone with information to call.
Полиция попросила всех, у кого есть информация, позвонить.
"Police" takes plural agreement even though it refers to one institution.
A police officer is standing outside the building.
Полицейский стоит снаружи здания.
"Police officer" is singular because it refers to one individual.
Two police officers arrived at the scene.
Два полицейских прибыли на место происшествия.
"Police officers" is an ordinary plural countable noun phrase.
The police are working around the clock to find the suspect.
Полиция круглосуточно работает над поиском подозреваемого.
"Police" takes plural agreement in standard usage.
People normally functions as the plural of person, while persons is a more formal or restricted alternative in certain contexts.
For example, Three people were waiting. Persons may appear in legal, official, or formal expressions.
Three people were waiting outside.
Три человека ждали снаружи.
"People" is the normal plural of "person" in everyday English.
There were hundreds of people at the concert.
На концерте были сотни людей.
"People" is the normal everyday plural form.
The sign says that unauthorized persons may not enter.
На знаке написано, что посторонним лицам вход запрещен.
"Persons" is possible in formal, legal, or official language.
Only authorized persons may enter this area.
В эту зону могут входить только уполномоченные лица.
"Persons" has a formal or administrative tone here.
Several people called the office this morning.
Сегодня утром несколько человек позвонили в офис.
"People" is natural in ordinary conversation.
No persons under 18 are allowed inside.
Лица младше 18 лет не допускаются внутрь.
"Persons" is common in signs and formal regulations.
The police spoke to five people at the scene.
Полиция поговорила с пятью людьми на месте.
"People" is preferred in normal spoken English.
The contract identifies the persons responsible for payment.
В договоре указаны лица, ответственные за оплату.
"Persons" is appropriate in a legal or formal context.
Some nouns refer to objects that naturally consist of two matching parts and can have plural grammatical behavior.
Examples include scissors, trousers, glasses, and binoculars.
These scissors are very sharp.
Эти ножницы очень острые.
"Scissors" normally behaves as a plural noun.
These pants are too large for me.
Эти брюки мне слишком велики.
"Pants" is normally used as a plural noun in American English.
These glasses are dirty.
Эти очки грязные.
"Glasses" is plural when referring to a pair of eyeglasses.
My binoculars are in the car.
Мой бинокль в машине.
"Binoculars" is normally treated as a plural-form noun.
Where are my scissors?
Где мои ножницы?
"Scissors" takes a plural verb.
The pants are in the washing machine.
Брюки в стиральной машине.
"Pants" takes a plural verb in American English.
My glasses were on the kitchen table.
Мои очки были на кухонном столе.
"Glasses" takes a plural verb when referring to eyeglasses.
The binoculars are useful for watching birds.
Бинокль полезен для наблюдения за птицами.
"Binoculars" takes plural agreement.
Nouns such as scissors, trousers, and glasses can be used with a pair of when referring to one item.
For example, a pair of scissors, a pair of trousers, and two pairs of glasses.
I bought a pair of scissors.
Я купил ножницы.
"A pair of scissors" refers to one item consisting of two blades.
She bought a new pair of pants.
Она купила новые брюки.
"A pair of pants" refers to one item of clothing.
I need a pair of glasses.
Мне нужны очки.
"A pair of glasses" refers to one set of eyeglasses.
He bought two pairs of socks.
Он купил две пары носков.
"Two pairs of" means two separate sets.
She owns three pairs of sunglasses.
У нее три пары солнцезащитных очков.
"Pairs" allows the plural-only noun to be counted.
The store sells several pairs of binoculars.
Магазин продает несколько биноклей.
"A pair of binoculars" refers to one binocular instrument.
I packed an extra pair of pants for the trip.
Я взял в поездку дополнительные брюки.
"A pair of pants" is the usual countable expression for one item.
The workshop has several pairs of protective glasses.
В мастерской несколько пар защитных очков.
"Pairs of glasses" counts separate sets of protective eyewear.
Many collective expressions use a singular collective noun followed by of and a plural noun.
For example, a group of students, a crowd of people, and a herd of cattle.
A group of students is waiting outside.
Группа студентов ждет снаружи.
"Group" is the main noun and is singular.
A crowd of people was standing near the stadium.
Толпа людей стояла возле стадиона.
"Crowd" is the singular collective noun controlling the verb.
A herd of cattle was moving across the field.
Стадо крупного рогатого скота двигалось по полю.
"Herd" is the main singular noun.
A flock of birds was flying south.
Стая птиц летела на юг.
"Flock" is singular even though "birds" is plural.
A collection of books is on the shelf.
Коллекция книг находится на полке.
"Collection" controls the singular verb.
A bunch of keys was lying on the table.
Связка ключей лежала на столе.
"Bunch" is the singular main noun.
A set of tools is stored in the garage.
Набор инструментов хранится в гараже.
"Set" is singular and controls the verb.
A series of meetings is planned for next month.
На следующий месяц запланирована серия встреч.
"Series" is the main singular noun here.
The grammatical number of the main noun phrase depends on whether the subject is the collective noun or the plural noun inside an of-phrase.
For example, A group of students is waiting, while Several groups of students are waiting.
A group of students is waiting outside.
Группа студентов ждет снаружи.
"Group" is singular, so the verb is "is".
Several groups of students are waiting outside.
Несколько групп студентов ждут снаружи.
"Groups" is plural, so the verb is "are".
A group of employees is attending the meeting.
Группа сотрудников присутствует на собрании.
"Group" controls agreement, not "employees".
Three groups of employees are attending the meeting.
Три группы сотрудников присутствуют на собрании.
"Groups" is plural.
A crowd of tourists was standing outside the museum.
Толпа туристов стояла возле музея.
"Crowd" is singular.
Two crowds of tourists were waiting in different lines.
Две толпы туристов стояли в разных очередях.
"Crowds" is plural and takes "were".
A collection of paintings is on display.
Коллекция картин выставлена.
"Collection" controls the singular agreement.
Several collections of paintings are on display.
Несколько коллекций картин выставлено.
"Collections" is plural and takes "are".
The number of takes a singular verb because it refers to one numerical quantity, while a number of means several and takes a plural verb.
For example, The number of applicants is increasing, but A number of applicants are waiting.
The number of applicants is increasing.
Количество заявителей увеличивается.
"The number of" refers to one numerical quantity and takes a singular verb.
A number of applicants are waiting outside.
Несколько заявителей ждут снаружи.
"A number of" means several and takes a plural verb.
The number of students in the class is growing.
Количество студентов в классе растет.
"The number" is the singular subject.
A number of students are absent today.
Несколько студентов сегодня отсутствуют.
"A number of" means several students.
The number of cars on the road has increased.
Количество машин на дороге увеличилось.
"The number of" takes the singular verb "has".
A number of cars are parked outside.
Несколько машин припаркованы снаружи.
"A number of" takes plural agreement.
The number of complaints is falling.
Количество жалоб уменьшается.
"The number of complaints" is one measurable quantity.
A number of complaints have been resolved.
Несколько жалоб были решены.
"A number of complaints" means several complaints.
Expressions such as a lot of take singular or plural agreement according to the noun that follows them.
For example, A lot of people are here, but A lot of information is available.
A lot of people are here.
Здесь много людей.
"A lot of" takes a plural verb with the plural noun "people".
A lot of information is available online.
В интернете доступно много информации.
"A lot of" takes a singular verb with the uncountable noun "information".
A lot of students are taking the exam.
Многие студенты сдают экзамен.
"Students" is plural, so the verb is plural.
A lot of water is needed for the project.
Для проекта нужно много воды.
"Water" is uncountable and therefore takes a singular verb.
A lot of families live in this neighborhood.
В этом районе живет много семей.
"Families" is plural, so the verb is "live".
A lot of traffic is expected downtown today.
Сегодня в центре ожидается большой трафик.
"Traffic" is uncountable and takes singular agreement.
A lot of equipment is stored in the warehouse.
На складе хранится много оборудования.
"Equipment" is uncountable.
A lot of employees are working remotely this week.
На этой неделе многие сотрудники работают удаленно.
"Employees" is plural, so plural agreement is required.
When a collective noun functions as the subject, agreement should match the intended interpretation and variety of English.
For example, The audience was silent focuses on the audience as one unit, while The audience were taking their seats can emphasize individuals in British English.
The audience was silent during the speech.
Зрители молчали во время выступления.
The audience is viewed as one unit.
The team is practicing for the championship.
Команда тренируется к чемпионату.
American English normally uses singular agreement with "team".
The committee has approved the budget.
Комитет утвердил бюджет.
The committee is treated as one decision-making body.
The team members are taking their seats.
Члены команды занимают свои места.
Using "team members" explicitly focuses on individuals.
The committee members disagree about the proposal.
Члены комитета не согласны по поводу предложения.
"Committee members" is explicitly plural.
The family is planning a vacation in Florida.
Семья планирует отпуск во Флориде.
"Family" is treated as a single unit in American English.
The audience members are finding their seats.
Зрители занимают свои места.
"Audience members" explicitly refers to individual people.
The government is reviewing the proposed legislation.
Правительство рассматривает предложенный закон.
American English normally treats "government" as a singular institution.
Do not choose a singular or plural verb mechanically; consider the collective noun, intended meaning, and variety of English being used.
Common mistakes include using singular police, confusing a group of with the members of the group, and switching between British and American agreement conventions without consistency.
The police are investigating the accident.
Полиция расследует аварию.
Do not use singular agreement with "police"; standard usage is "police are".
A group of students is waiting outside.
Группа студентов ждет снаружи.
The verb agrees with "group", not with the plural noun "students".
A number of students are absent today.
Несколько студентов сегодня отсутствуют.
"A number of" means several and takes a plural verb.
The number of students is increasing.
Количество студентов увеличивается.
"The number of" refers to one quantity and takes a singular verb.
The team is ready for the game.
Команда готова к игре.
American English normally uses singular agreement with "team".
The family members are choosing their seats.
Члены семьи выбирают свои места.
Use "family members" when the individual people are the focus.
A lot of people are waiting, but a lot of information is available online.
Много людей ждут, но в интернете доступно много информации.
The verb after "a lot of" depends on whether the following noun is plural or uncountable.
The committee is divided over the issue.
Комитет разделился во мнениях по этому вопросу.
American English normally keeps singular agreement with collective nouns even when disagreement is described.