Collective nouns exercise

Complete the following sentences using appropriate collective nouns. Choose your answers from the options given in the table.

1. A …………………………. of robbers broke into the museum and took away valuable paintings.

2. The angry ……………………….. started pelting stones.

3. The police fired tear gas to disperse the …………………………….

4. Her superb performance enthralled the …………………………………

5. The ………………………….. is studying the proposal.

6. The …………………………… should be ready to handle any emergency.

7. The …………………………… are investigating the case.

8. A ………………………….. of keys were lying on the table.

9. The …………………….. sang beautifully.

10. The ship sank but the passengers and the ……………………….. were saved.

Answers

1. A gang of robbers broke into the museum and took away valuable paintings.

2. The angry mob started pelting stones.

3. The police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.

4. Her superb performance enthralled the audience.

5. The committee is studying the proposal.

6. The army should be ready to handle any emergency.

7. The police are investigating the case.

8. A bunch of keys was lying on the table.

9. The choir sang beautifully.

10. The ship sank but the passengers and the crew were saved.

Notes

Collective nouns are usually treated as singular; however, they can be followed by a plural verb when the reference is to the individual members within the group.

Note that the collective noun police is always plural.

The police have caught the thief. (NOT The police has caught the thief.)