Practice
Collective nouns practice: choose the word for the group
Sign in to saveA flock of sheep and a herd of cows both name groups. Which words fit the groups you want to describe?
Start with familiar pairs such as flock of sheep. Then check the word after of and decide whether your verb describes one group or its members.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
a flock of birds uh-FLOK-uv-BERDZ
The short answer
Use familiar pairs such as flock of birds and bunch of keys. Keep countable group members plural, and choose a verb that fits your meaning.
A flock of geese has landed beside the lake.
Why it works: Flock names one group; geese is the plural of goose.
4 more examples
-
Walking in a city park
Look at that flock of birds that's flying above the trees.
Flock is a common group word for birds, whether they are flying or resting.
Not this:Look at that
herd of birdsthat's flying above the trees. What changes: Herd is not the usual group word for these birds. -
Cleaning the living room
She's found a heavy bunch of keys under the sofa.
Bunch fits keys held together, often on a ring.
Not this:She's found a heavy
pack of keysunder the sofa. What changes: Bunch of keys is the usual expression for the linked keys in this scene. -
Organizing a soccer club
Our team of players isn't meeting this Tuesday morning.
Players is plural because the team contains several players.
Not this:Our
team of playerisn't meeting this Tuesday morning. What changes: Player names just one person, so it does not fit this phrase. -
Visiting a country farm
There's a quiet herd of cows near the farm gate.
Herd commonly describes a group of cows.
Not this:There's a quiet
swarm of cowsnear the farm gate. What changes: Swarm is not the usual word for this group of cows.
Quick check
Which phrase from the lesson's animal chart fits these sheep?
Talking about farm animals
Answer: There's a quiet flock of sheep by the hill.
Show the answer
Answer: There's a quiet flock of sheep by the hill.
Flock fits sheep here. Pack and swarm are not the usual choices for this farm scene.
Read the full guide
You might describe birds in a park, keys in your bag, or people on a team. The group word tells your listener how those members belong together. Work through the patterns, then try the questions without looking back.
Match the animal to its group
The problem: I mix up the common group words for sheep, cows, wolves, and bees.
Learn the whole expression. An animal's size or movement will not give you a rule for every group. A flock can include sheep on the ground or birds sitting in a tree.
| Animal | Common group word | Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| Birds or sheep | flock | a flock of birds |
| Cows or deer | herd | a herd of cows |
| Wolves or dogs | pack | a pack of wolves |
| Bees or flies | swarm | a swarm of bees |
-
A flock of ducks is resting beside the pond.
Why it works: The ducks do not need to be flying.
-
We watched a herd of elephants cross the road.
Why it works: Herd also fits elephants; it is not limited to farm animals.
Your turn
Which sentence uses the common group word for these twenty cows?
Looking at cattle in a field
Answer: There's a quiet herd of cows by the fence.
Show the answer
Answer: There's a quiet herd of cows by the fence.
Herd of cows is the common pair in this scene. Flock and swarm do not fit these cows.
Check the form after of
The problem: I can choose a group word, but I sometimes use the singular form for its members.
Use plural forms for several countable members after of. Add s to player; child becomes children. Sheep and deer have the same form for one or more.
-
Not this:
We haven't cheered for our team of player.Say: We haven't cheered for our team of players.
Use players for this team's members.
-
Not this:
She hasn't dropped that heavy bunch of key.Say: She hasn't dropped that heavy bunch of keys.
Use the plural keys.
-
He's bought a lovely bunch of flowers for the party.
Why it works: Add s to flower.
-
They're watching a large flock of sheep run across the hill.
Why it works: Sheep is plural here.
-
A group of children waited outside the hall.
Why it works: Children is an irregular plural.
Your turn
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the word player.
Answer: Our school hasn't chosen its team of players for the match.
Show the answer
Answer: players
Players is the plural of player. Use it after team of in this sentence.
Choose bunch, pack, or set
The problem: I need to choose between bunch, pack, deck, and set for everyday objects.
Bunch often fits things growing or held close together, such as grapes and keys. Set suggests things that belong or work together. For playing cards, pack is common in British English; deck is usual in American English.
Things growing or held close together.
I bought a fresh bunch of bananas.
Things that belong or work together.
We bought a new set of bowls.
-
He's opened a fresh pack of cards for our game.
Why it works: This is a common British expression for playing cards.
-
She's given him a useful set of screwdrivers.
Why it works: The tools form a set for a shared purpose.
Your turn
You have a complete group of playing cards for a game. Which sentence uses the common British expression?
Answer: We'll open a new pack of cards on the table.
Show the answer
Answer: We'll open a new pack of cards on the table.
Pack of cards is the expected expression. Deck of cards is also correct, but it is not one of these options.
Decide between is and are
The problem: I get confused about whether a group noun takes a singular verb like is or a plural verb like are.
Use a singular verb for a group viewed as one unit. In British English, some group nouns also take plural verbs when the focus is on members. American English usually prefers a singular verb with the group name.
-
The team's ready to play its match today.
Why it works: The team is presented as one unit.
-
The team are putting on their shoes.
Why it works: This British use focuses on the team members.
-
The team members are putting on their shoes.
Why it works: Members is plainly plural and works in either variety.
-
Two packs of wolves aren't hunting together today.
Why it works: Two packs names more than one group, so use a plural verb.
Your turn
Treat this flock as one unit. Which sentence uses matching forms?
Answer: That flock of birds is loud, and it's flying south.
Show the answer
Answer: That flock of birds is loud, and it's flying south.
Is and it match the flock as one unit here. They's is not a valid form; those flocks needs plural agreement.
Before you go
Question 1 of 2
Arrange the chunks to make a natural sentence.
Answer: Look at that flock of birds that's in the sky.
Show the answer
Answer: Look at that flock of birds that's in the sky.
Keep flock of birds together. Birds is plural; flock names the group.
Question 2 of 2 · One new sentence
Which sentence correctly names both groups of supplies?
Packing gear for a mountain cabin trip
Answer: We've packed a set of tools and a deck of cards.
Show the answer
Answer: We've packed a set of tools and a deck of cards.
Set of tools and deck of cards fit these supplies. Tools and cards are regular plurals.
Remember this
Learn common pairs such as herd of cows and pack of cards. Check the members' plural form, then decide whether your verb refers to a group or its members.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Collective nouns practice: choose the word for the group"
Does a collective noun always need of after it?
No. A group noun can stand without an of phrase when the reader already knows which group you mean. Of can add information about the members, but it is not part of every collective noun.
Our choir meets on Thursdays.
A choir of local singers will perform tonight.
How do I describe more than one flock or team?
Make the group word plural when you mean several groups. Flock becomes flocks, and team becomes teams. Any countable members named after of still need their own plural form.
Three flocks of geese passed overhead.
Two teams of volunteers cleaned the beach.
Is herd of sheep always wrong?
No. Flock of sheep is a common expression, but dictionaries also record herd for sheep. Flock of sheep is a useful phrase to learn first; it is not the only possible choice.
A small flock of sheep rested near the wall.
The farmer moved a herd of sheep to another field.
Can I use bunch for people?
Yes. Bunch can describe a group of people in informal English. It does not mean that the people are tied together. In a formal report, group is usually a more neutral choice.
Your cousins are a friendly bunch.
A group of visitors arrived before noon.
Should I say a pack of cards or a deck of cards?
Both expressions are correct for a complete group of playing cards. Pack is common in British English, while deck is usual in American English. Cards need not be inside a box for either expression to work.
Has anyone seen the pack of cards?
She shuffled the deck before dealing.