Subject–Verb Agreement with Collective Nouns – Rules & Examples for SSC, Banking, PSC & UPSC

Subject–Verb Agreement with Collective Nouns – Rules & Examples for SSC, Banking, PSC & UPSC

(Complete English Grammar Theory for SSC, Banking, PSC & UPSC Exams)

1. Introduction

Collective nouns refer to a group of persons, animals, or things considered as a single unit. Examples include:

  • Team
  • Committee
  • Jury
  • Family
  • Class
  • Public
  • Audience

In Subject–Verb Agreement, the verb may be singular or plural depending on whether the group is considered as a single unit or as individual members.

This topic is frequently tested in SSC, Banking, PSC, and UPSC exams, especially in error detection and sentence improvement sections.

2. Singular vs Plural Verb Usage with Collective Nouns

Rule 1: Collective Noun as a Single Unit → Singular Verb

When the collective noun acts as one whole, use a singular verb.

Examples:

  • The team is winning the match.
  • The committee has decided to postpone the meeting.
  • The audience was silent throughout the play.

🔎 Exam Tip: Look for words indicating unity, like “as a whole,” “together,” or when action is simultaneous.

Rule 2: Collective Noun Emphasizing Individual Members → Plural Verb

When the members of the group are acting individually, use a plural verb.

Examples:

  • The team are wearing their new uniforms. (Each member has his/her own uniform)
  • The jury have returned to their homes after giving separate opinions.
  • The class were all sitting in different corners.

🔎 Exam Tip: Look for context words like each member, separately, individually.

3. Common Collective Nouns

Collective NounExample (Singular Verb)Example (Plural Verb)
TeamThe team is winning.The team are arguing among themselves.
CommitteeThe committee has approved the proposal.The committee have different opinions.
JuryThe jury was unanimous.The jury were unable to agree.
FamilyThe family is celebrating Diwali.The family are going their separate ways.
AudienceThe audience was thrilled.The audience were leaving their seats.
ClassThe class is attentive.The class were answering different questions.

4. Special Rules

Rule 3: Collective Nouns with “Each” or “Every”

If the collective noun is preceded by each or every, the verb is singular.

Examples:

  • Each team has a captain.
  • Every committee decides on its agenda carefully.

Rule 4: Collective Noun + “of” + Plural Noun

When a collective noun is followed by “of + plural noun,” the verb may depend on context:

  • The group of students is studying together. (Single unit)
  • The group of students are arguing among themselves. (Individual actions)

5. Common Errors in Competitive Exams

❌ The team are winning the match. (Incorrect if treated as a unit)
✅ The team is winning the match.

❌ The audience is leaving their seats. (Incorrect if members leave individually)
✅ The audience are leaving their seats.

❌ The jury have returned a unanimous verdict.
✅ The jury has returned a unanimous verdict.

❌ Each committee have submitted their report.
✅ Each committee has submitted its report.

6. Exam Tips

  1. Identify whether the collective noun is one unit or many individuals.
  2. Look for modifiers like each, every, of + plural noun.
  3. Watch for verbs in error detection questions—they usually test singular/plural confusion.
  4. Always read the sentence context carefully; exam setters often use tricky plural hints.

7. Mini Practice

  1. The team ____ (is/are) practicing hard. → is
  2. The jury ____ (has/have) reached a decision. → has
  3. The class ____ (is/are) answering their questions individually. → are
  4. Each family ____ (has/have) received the invitation. → has
  5. The audience ____ (was/were) thrilled by the performance. → was