Introduction
Collective nouns are words for individual things that are consists of more than one person, animal, place, thing, etc. On the other hand, a Common noun is used to describe general items instead of specific ones. We have illustrated the differences between collective nouns and common nouns in this article.
Collective Noun vs. Common Noun
There are several differences between collective nouns and common nouns. A collective noun is a more illustrative and categorized version of nouns. Conversely, a common noun is the rudimentary version of nouns. The general instances to comprehend collective nouns are choir, crowd, orchestra, and committee, whereas instances of the common noun are woman, planet, laptop, teacher, etc. A collective noun is practiced later, and so it is positioned on a lower level. While, a common noun is practiced before, and it holds a higher position. A collective noun is one of the important classifications of common nouns and is not split up further. Whereas, Common noun is cut up into five categories. A collective noun incorporates a group, and it is kept up with verbs used with singular nouns. Conversely, a common noun can take up the form of both singular and plural nouns.
Difference between Collective Nouns and Common Nouns in Tabular Form
| Parameters | Collective Noun | Common Noun |
| Definition | A collective noun is a more illustrative and categorized version of nouns | A common noun is the rudimentary version of nouns. |
| Examples | The general instances to comprehend collective nouns are choir, crowd, orchestra, committee, etc. | The general instances of the common noun are woman, planet, laptop, teacher, etc. |
| Position | A collective noun is practiced later, and so it is positioned on a lower level | A common noun is practiced before, and it holds a higher position. |
| Classifications | A collective noun is one of the important classifications of common nouns and is not split up further | A common noun is cut up into five categories. |
| Functionality | A collective noun incorporates a group, and it is kept up with verbs used with singular nouns. | A common noun can take up the form of both singular and plural nouns. |
What is a Collective Noun?
As it is a very common topic in Grammar so one must have to go through the definition of Collective Noun. Collective nouns are words for individual things that are consists of more than one person, animal, place, thing, etc. You can’t have a group without single members; even so, we consider a group as a single entity.
Collective Noun Examples
We should have to call up that nouns are words naming people, places, animals, and things. Collective nouns are in a category all their self. Once you have to go through these examples, you’ll perceive it much easier to ken collective nouns within the first view.
- Our class has organized a fresher’s party today.
- The herd of bees made a honeycomb.
- We waited capriciously for the jury to come to the pronouncement.
- He is the main leader behind the success of the team.
- His ambition is to join the Indian army.
- The council of the town has approved policies to establish a new park.
- He is the one and only son of his nuclear family.
- A group of birds was chirping there.
- Every audience was enjoying the concert.
List of Common Collective Nouns (Used Regularly)
Here’s a list of common collective nouns which consist of some words that recount groups of people, animals, or things. These words are sometimes replaceable, and English writers and speakers often make use of them to delineate unalike things. For an instance, the word swarm is customarily used to recount a group of insects like bees or flies, but numerous writers use it to discuss a type of hectic people. Once you are getting acquainted with this list of common collective nouns, you’ll be able to identify that they are used in different situations.
- Herd– A group of animals (herbivores).
- Pack– A group of animals (canine) like dogs or wolves; also used to recount playing cards
- Flock– A group of sheep
- Swarm– A group of bees
- Group – A group of cats
- Crowd – Generally used to recount a group of people
- Gang – Generally used to recount a group of criminals or dock workers.
- Staff – A group of people who work in the identical place
- Crew –Generally, it is used to recount a group of workers or employees; also used to delineate the aircraft and ships personnel
- Choir – A huge, organized group of singers can be denoted as Choir.
- Orchestra – A huge, organized group of instrumentalists, can be denoted as an Orchestra.
- Panel – A group of authorities
- Troupe – A troupe of Soldiers
- Bunch – Usually a group of tiny objects like flowers, grapes, etc.
- Heap – A heap of piles,
- Stack – A stack of chairs
- Series – A series of lectures
The technique of deciding whether a collective noun is singular or plural?
You can use different words to put up your sentence to be confident that there are no agreement errors. For example, you can put the word “members” after a collective noun or invent an unalike word like “instrumentalist” instead of “musicians”. You have to read to be assured whether it sounds accurate. In this way, you’ll be able to utilize plural verbs without being dubious about whether you have made mistakes.
People who are not experienced in writing, often run into some problems with sentence agreement while using collective nouns. This is comprehendible, as a collective noun may be both singular or plural, relying on a sentence’s setting.
Here’s an uncomplicated technique that you can use to determine how to use collective nouns in sentences. Frequently, people act identically, undertaking an individual activity at the same time as everyone else in their batch. When the individuals are considered in a group, a team, or examples of any other collective noun, that noun is singular and is put together with singular pronouns and singular verbs. When you go through the instances that follow, observe that each eminent who is included as a part of the collective noun is doing the identical activity in unison as others who are included as part of that collective noun.
- The flock tracks its master to the watering hole for a thirst quencher every morning.
→ Flock is a singular collective noun. The track is a singular verb, and the word its is a singular pronoun. All the species in the flock reach the watering hole in unison.
- Today, Ms. Dutta’s class takes its aptitude test.
→ According to the above instance, Class is a singular collective noun, and Takes is a singular verb. The word its is a singular pronoun. Every student in Ms. Dutta’s class is taking an identical test at the same moment.
- The assembly agrees that people are not aware of COVID, so its verdict is that people must wear masks and maintain social distancing.
→ Assembly is a singular collective noun and Agrees is a singular verb. The word its is a singular pronoun. All the members of the assembly are thinking in the same way.
Now think that three boys are in the living room. They aren’t doing the same things simultaneously! One is surfing mobile intently. Another is reading a comic and vibing on music. The third one is accomplishing his office work on a laptop. There is an individual group of boys, but the members of the group are doing unalike things.
Parts of collective nouns can behave identically, as individuals continue accomplishing their own thing. When parts of a collective noun behave as individuals, that collective noun is plural and must be paired with plural pronouns and plural verbs.
What is a Common Noun?
As we have an understandable conception of the definition of a noun, we can simply demonstrate the categories of nouns too. The classification of nouns contains Proper nouns and Common nouns. Generally, a Common noun is used to describe general items instead of specific ones. If you keep an eye on your dining room then you can see chairs, tables, windows, sofa– all of these items are described using common nouns. You can use common nouns at any time as you can see these kinds of nouns everywhere, even though you don’t percept them. You’ll discover at least one common noun wherever you go.
When to use common nouns?
A common noun can be expounded as a class of objects or a conception. Think about the word star, star is an example of a common noun, used to indicate the class of objects that we see in the sky at night. The glimmering bodies that are laid out across the cosmos, sparkling overhead. The Sun is used as a proper noun, used to recount the eminent star that is at the midpoint of our solar system. We can say that anything that is a thing can be categorized as a common noun. Professions like lawyer, doctor, teacher, nurse, politician, and football player are also used as a common nouns.
People: Generally, people are named with the help of common nouns, though their solemn titles in such cases are proper nouns. When we allude to people using common nouns, we make use of words like a teacher, grandma, delivery driver, husband, wife, grandpa, nephew, etc.
For an instance, when considering your sister, the sister is a common noun.
- My sister is a singer.
- Riya’s sister was the best dancer in the city.
But when talking with your sister, or using the ing mother as her name, the sister is used as a proper noun.
- “My dear sister, can you buy me a pizza?”
- I asked My sister Rita to join us at dinner.
Objects: car, newspaper, boat, potato chip, shoe, house, table, sword.
Although, common nouns can also be more intellectual ideas, not things but conceptions, sensations, and events, for instance:
Examples of Common Noun
The following common noun examples will help you to get a clear conception of common nouns.
- Common Noun: You broke his favorite cup. Proper Noun: He can’t believe you broke her Snoopy cup.
- Common Noun: I want a new pair of shoes. Proper Noun: Rahul wants to buy a new pair of jeans.
- Common Noun: I wish I could call up the name of that singer. Proper Noun: I love the song by Arijit Singh.
- Common Noun: Tina’s siblings are waiting for us at the restaurant. Proper Noun: Everyone else is at Warehouse Cafe.
- Common Noun: I want to leave the city Proper Noun: Of all the places I’ve visited, Switzerland was the best.
Main Differences between Collective Noun and Common Noun in Points
- A collective noun is a more illustrative and categorized version of nouns. Conversely, a common noun is the rudimentary version of nouns.
- The general instances to comprehend collective nouns are choir, crowd, orchestra, and committee, whereas instances of the common noun are woman, planet, laptop, teacher, etc.
- A collective noun is practiced later, and so it is positioned on a lower level. While, a common noun is practiced before, and it holds a higher position.
- A collective noun is one of the important classifications of common nouns and is not split up further. Whereas, Common noun is cut up into five categories.
- A collective noun incorporates a group, and it is kept up with verbs used with singular nouns. Conversely, a common noun can take up the form of both singular and plural nouns.
Conclusion
Most scientific studies have represented that getting acquainted with new languages enhances the functionality of the human brain. Gaining education in new languages enhances personality and includes one more new additional skill to the resume. The method of learning a new language initiates with comprehending grammar.
Grammar consists of all grammatical rules and processes about the particular language, and nouns are one of them. Nouns are parts of speech in English that are utilized to transform and comprehend the kinds of names of objects and organisms. Well, we have summarised the main topic which is the “Difference between Collective nouns and Common nouns” in detail. Hope you got a clear understanding of the two grammatical terms Collective noun, and common noun. For further information, tell us by commenting down below.
References
- https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/parts-of-speech/nouns/collective-nouns.html
