Subject-Verb Agreement: Collective Nouns

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Generally, use a singular verb form with a collective noun like class, government, family, jury, committee, group, couple or team.

Example

My family goes on vacation every year.

A plural verb form can be used, though, if you wish to emphasize differences among the individuals or if the group is thought of as individuals.

Examples

His family are mostly artists and musicians. The jury are from every walk of life.

You can also avoid the issue by revising the sentence.

Examples

His close relatives are mostly artists and musicians. The members of the jury are from every walk of life.

However, with collective nouns like police, poor, elderly, and young, use plural verbs.

Example

The old, not just the young, require social services.

 

See also
Sentence Problems: Subject-Verb Agreement