Collective nouns are words that are used to describe groups of people, animals, or things. These nouns are unique because they represent a single entity or concept, despite referring to multiple individuals or objects. They help in simplifying language and provide a convenient way to address groups as a whole.
Moreover, collective nouns are known for their ability to convey a sense of unity and togetherness. They paint a vivid picture of a collective body and encapsulate the essence of cooperation and community. For example, referring to a flock of birds, a herd of cows, or a team of players, creates an image of cohesion and organization.
These nouns often take a singular form and are usually followed by a singular verb. However, grammatically, they may sometimes be used with plural verbs depending on whether the emphasis is on the group as a unit or on the individual members within it.
Collective nouns can be classified into different categories:
1. Animal collectives: Examples include a pack of wolves, a pride of lions, a flock of birds, or a swarm of bees. These vivid descriptions help portray the behavior, adaptation, or characteristics of different animal species.
2. Group nouns for people: These describe gatherings or organizations of people. Examples include a committee of experts, a team of athletes, a class of students, or a network of friends. These terms reflect the purpose, role, or affiliation of the group members.
3. Object collectives: These are used to describe a collection or a grouping of inanimate objects. For instance, a group of books could be called a library, a collection of guns could be referred to as an arsenal, or several ships together could be called a fleet. These classifications highlight the utility or nature of the objects involved.
4. Term of venery: Also known as terms for groups of game animals, this category encompasses poetic and archaic expressions. Examples include a murder of crows, a pack of hounds, or a parliament of owls. These playful terms were developed and popularized through hunting and heraldry.
In conclusion, collective nouns are essential linguistic components that add color and variety to our everyday communication. They help us describe and encapsulate the dynamics of communities, groups, or assemblies, and facilitate clear and concise expressions related to collective entities.
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A 'slew of homework' refers to a substantial or overwhelming amount of assigned schoolwork or tasks that students might encounter. This collective noun phrase vividly describes the sheer volume and variety of assignments, projects, readings, and exercises...
Example sentence: The students groaned when their teacher announced that they had a slew of homework assignments due the next day
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The collective noun phrase Pile of Homework refers to a heap or stack of various academic tasks, exercises, assignments, or readings that a student has been assigned to complete outside of classroom hours. It visually represents the accumulation of work, ...
Example sentence: My backpack is weighed down by a pile of homework that I still need to complete tonight
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A stack of homework refers to a compilation of individual assignments or exercises, typically consisting of papers or worksheets, that are given to students by their teachers to complete outside of the classroom during their studies. This collective noun ...
Example sentence: The teacher told us to turn in our stack of homework before the bell rang
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Ton of Homework is a collective noun phrase that humorously encapsulates the overwhelming quantity and burden of academic assignments and tasks given to students. This phrase playfully portrays the amount of work as a literal ton, indicating a substantial...
Example sentence: I have a ton of homework to do tonight, it's going to be a long night
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A bundle of homework refers to a collection or grouping of various academic tasks or assignments encompassing different subjects and topics. Just as a bundle typically implies a tightly packaged ensemble, this collective noun phrase represents the numerou...
Example sentence: The teacher handed out a bundle of homework to each student
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A set of homework refers to an organized grouping of multiple tasks or assignments that are given to students by teachers or professors to be completed outside of the traditional classroom setting. This noun phrase depicts the collection of educational wo...
Example sentence: There is a large set of homework assignments waiting for me to complete
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A batch of homework refers to a collection or group of individual homework assignments, usually given by educators to students with the intent to reinforce and assess the understanding of academic material. It encompasses an assortment of tasks and exerci...
Example sentence: The teacher assigned a large batch of homework to the students over the weekend
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A load of homework is a collective noun phrase that refers to a considerable or significant amount of homework. It conveys the idea of a large quantity or volume of academic tasks that students are required to complete outside of school hours. This phrase...
Example sentence: My backpack feels heavier than usual with this load of homework
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A packet of homework is a collective noun phrase that refers to a group of various assignments, projects, readings, or tasks given by teachers and educators to students outside of their regular academic hours. This phrase describes a bundle or a assembled...
Example sentence: I handed in a packet of homework to my teacher at the end of the school day
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A Book of Homework refers to a gathering or compilation of various tasks and assignments that pertain to academic subjects, typically given by teachers for students to complete outside of school hours. As a collective noun phrase, it showcases the diverse...
Example sentence: The Book of Homework is due next week, so make sure to finish your assignments
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