Collective Nouns
Collective nouns are singular in form but indicate a collection or group of things or people.
Band
Committee
Family
Group
Team
Collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs, depending on the meaning or context. When using a collective noun as one unit, use a singular verb.
The team has a new uniform.
The group goes skiing every year.
When indicating that the members of a group are acting individually, use a plural verb.
The committee do not agree on what to do.
The family have all gone to do different things today.
Sometimes the plural form with a collective noun can sound awkward, even if it is correct. You can always rephrase the sentence.
The committee members do not agree
The family members have
TOEFL Words
Choose the correct vocabulary word that best fits the intended meaning of each sentence. Verbs may be in any tense.
settle / confirm / critical / rigid / complex / chiefly / block / challenge / forbid / relinquish
TOEFL Idioms
Choose the correct idiom for each sentence. Answers may be in any verb tense.
tear...down / turn...around / back and forth / give in / get away / throw...away / run into / wear out / at all / talk...over
My shoes are _____ _____. I need new ones.
Don't _____ _____ these papers. They're important.
They will _____ that building _____ and build a new one.
To "pace" means to walk _____ _____ _____.
I _____ _____ Fred yesterday. I hadn't seen him in a while.
The test wasn't difficult _____ _____. It was easy.
The criminals did not _____ _____. The police caught them.
_____ the car _____ and go back.
We _____ the situation _____ and came to a decision.
Try your best and never _____ _____.
His _________ opinions made him very unpopular.
A typical Japanese dish will consist _________ of fish and vegetables.
Please call to _________ your reservation 24 hours in advance.
A federal law _________ motorists from driving faster than 65 miles per hour.
Your brother is much too _________ of your political views.
The attorneys agreed to _________ the case out of court.
The reporters were _________ by police from entering the building.
He _________ his claim to the property so that it could be sold.
The _________ of learning is to study frequently.
The physics theories in that lecture were very _________. I'll have to study for weeks for the test!