Collective nouns are commonly used in English to describe a group of people, animals, or things as a single unit. Because they refer to a group acting together, they usually take a singular verb in a sentence.
In this article, you’ll explore a useful list of collective nouns in English that you can use confidently in speaking and writing. If you want to understand the rules, usage, and grammar behind these words, you may also want to read What are Collective Nouns in English?
Here is a useful list of collective nouns used for people, birds, animals, and things. Practice these collective nouns in your speaking and writing exercises so that you can remember them easily and use them correctly in your communication. These collective nouns are commonly used in daily conversation.
List of Collective Nouns for People
| Collective Noun | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| an assembly of people | An assembly of people gathered to hear the announcement. |
| a bevy of ladies | A bevy of ladies entered the hall together. |
| a board of directors | The board of directors approved the plan. |
| a bench of magistrates | A bench of magistrates heard the case. |
| a band of musicians | A band of musicians performed live. |
| a detachment of soldiers | A detachment of soldiers arrived at dawn. |
| a division of troops | A division of troops marched forward. |
| a gang of robbers | A gang of robbers was arrested by police. |
| a gang of thieves | A gang of thieves broke into the house. |
| a gang of laborers | A gang of laborers repaired the road. |
| a crowd of people | A crowd of people gathered outside. |
| a clique of people | A clique of people dominated the meeting. |
| a colony of people | A colony of people settled near the coast. |
| a company of actors | A company of actors rehearsed the play. |
| a commission of inquiry | A commission of inquiry was formed. |
| a council of advisors | A council of advisors guided the leader. |
| a conference of delegates | A conference of delegates met in Geneva. |
| a crew of sailors | A crew of sailors prepared the ship. |
List of Collective Nouns for Animals & Birds
| Collective Noun | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| a brood of chickens | A brood of chickens followed the hen. |
| a brood of hens | A brood of hens rested under the tree. |
| a brace of pigeons | A brace of pigeons flew away. |
| a flock of sheep | A flock of sheep grazed in the field. |
| a flock of geese | A flock of geese flew south. |
| a flight of birds | A flight of birds crossed the sky. |
| a swarm of locusts | A swarm of locusts destroyed crops. |
| a family of sardines | A family of sardines swam together. |
| a covey of partridges | A covey of partridges rested nearby. |
| a clutch of eggs | A clutch of eggs lay in the nest. |
List of Collective Nouns for Objects & Things
| Collective NounExample Sentence | |
|---|---|
| a bunch of flowers | She received a bunch of flowers. |
| a bunch of keys | He lost a bunch of keys. |
| a bunch of grapes | She bought a bunch of grapes. |
| a bouquet of flowers | He gave her a bouquet of flowers. |
| a bundle of sticks | The farmer collected a bundle of sticks. |
| a brace of pistols | A brace of pistols was displayed. |
| a box of cigars | He opened a box of cigars. |
| a basket of fruit | A basket of fruit sat on the table. |
| a battery of guns | A battery of guns guarded the fort. |
| a fleet of ships | A fleet of ships entered the harbor. |
| a flight of stairs | He climbed a flight of stairs. |
| a fall of snow | A fall of snow covered the road. |
| a faggot of sticks | He carried a faggot of sticks home. |
| a flotilla of boats | A flotilla of boats lined the river. |
| a group of islands | A group of islands lies offshore. |
| a chain of mountains | A chain of mountains stretches far. |
| a clump of trees | A clump of trees shaded the area. |
| a code of laws | A code of laws governs the country. |
| a cluster of stars | A cluster of stars shone brightly. |
| a collection of relics | The museum displayed relics. |
How to Properly Use This List of Collective Nouns in English
As mentioned earlier, collective nouns are singular and use singular verbs to make sentences while following the subject-verb-agreement of English grammar. This list of collective nouns helps you use collective nouns correctly in your speaking and writing. Once you learn collective nouns from the above list, use these words in your daily English speaking and writing practice.
If subject-verb agreement feels confusing, reviewing Countable and Uncountable Nouns in English can also help strengthen your understanding of noun usage.
Conclusion
Collective nouns are used in English to describe a group of people, animals, or things as one unit. Because they are treated as singular nouns, they usually require a singular verb in a sentence.
This list of collective nouns in English can help you improve both your vocabulary and sentence accuracy. Practice using these words in speaking and writing to build confidence and fluency over time.
I hope this article helped you learn collective nouns for people, objects, things, and animals in this list of collective nouns in English. If you liked it, then please subscribe to our newsletter for more vocabulary topics and tips. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Related Posts
- What Are Collective Nouns in English?
- Common Collective Noun Examples
- Collective Nouns for Animals
- Collective Nouns for People
- Collective Nouns vs Plural Nouns