COLLECTIVE NOUNS
HROMADNÁ PODSTATNÁ JMÉNA
Collective nouns refer to a group of objects, animals or people that are related.
There is no need to use a plural noun instead.
Collective nouns may be followed by singular or plural verbs, or by both.
Hromadná podstatná jména označují skupinu věcí, zvířat nebo lidí, kteří jsou stejného druhu,
aniž by bylo nutné užít pro označení takové skupiny množného čísla.
Na hromadná podstatná jména se v anglickém jazyce váže sloveso v jednotném i množném
čísle, v některých případech je možné užít oba tvary.
Most collective nouns indicate a group of animals. They can be followed both by a
singular or plural verb.
Velké množství hromadných podstatných jmen označuje skupinu zvířat. Taková hromadná
podstatná jména se mohou pojit se slovesem v jednotném i v množném čísle.
a flock of birds
a herd of deer
a swarm of bees
a pride of lions
is / are
a pack of dogs
a shoal of fish
A
Some collective nouns can be followed by both a singular or plural verb without a
change in the meaning.
Některá hromadná podstatná jména se pojí se slovesem v jednotném i množném čísle, aniž by
byl ovlivněn význam věty.
team
committee
family
gang
audience
union
is / are
class
group
government
council
Our team has/have won the competition.
Tom´s family is/are deciding about tomorrow´s trip to London.
B
Although some collective nouns have a singular form, they are always followed by a
plural verb.
Ačkoliv se některá hromadná podstatná jména vyskytují pouze v jednotném čísle, pojí se
výlučně se slovesem v čísle množném.
cattle
people
are
military
police
The police have arrested the murderer.
The military are getting ready for the exhibition.
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WORKSHEET
PRACOVNÍ LIST
1. Match the expressions:
Přiřaďte k sobě významy slov:
a pack
a swarm
a gang
a caravan
a shoal
a team
a flock
a pride
a crowd
a troop
a gaggle
a herd
a class
of
elephants
geese
thieves
mackerels
soldiers
wolves
camels
birds
bees
people
lions
baseball players
students
2. Fill in the appropriate verb form:
Doplňte správný tvar slovesa:
The police ……………… (have) been chasing the criminals for two weeks.
I could see a flock of sheep which ……………… (be) sleeping on the meadow.
Our baseball team …………… (try) hard to get the World Cup.
Have you heard the latest news? The French government ………………… (be)
slowly collapsing.
5. Our class ……………… (take) part in the English competition.
6. People ……………… (be) not aware of the possible dangers.
7. The cattle ……………… (breed) in a small farm. (passive)
8. The committee ……………… (be) not able to choose the winner.
9. The jury ………………… (be) discussing the verdict at the moment.
10. A pack of dogs ……………… (be) running down the street.
11. The audience ……………… (have) been clapping the hands for 10 minutes.
12. Native people ……………… (call) aborigines. (passive)
13. Our dancing group .……………… (have) never been successful.
14. Have you ever seen a colony of ants that ……………… (be) slowly walking through
the forest?
15. My family ……………… (have) just had a good breakfast.
1.
2.
3.
4.
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WORKSHEET - ANSWERS
PRACOVNÍ LIST - ŘEŠENÍ
1. Match the expressions:
Přiřaďte k sobě významy slov:
a pack
a swarm
a gang
a caravan
a shoal
a team
a flock
a pride
a crowd
a troop
a gaggle
a herd
a class
of
wolves
bees
thieves
camels
mackerels
baseball players
birds, camels
lions
people
soldiers
geese
elephants
students
2. Fill in the appropriate verb form:
Doplňte správný tvar slovesa:
1. The police have been chasing the criminals for two weeks.
2. I could see a flock of sheep which was /were sleeping on the meadow.
3. Our baseball team is / are trying hard to get the World Cup.
4. The French government is / are slowly collapsing.
5. Our class is / are taking part in the English competition.
6. People are not aware of the possible dangers.
7. The cattle are bred in a small farm. (passive)
8. The committee is / are not able to choose the winner.
9. The jury is / are discussing the verdict at the moment.
10. A pack of dogs is /are running down the street.
11. The audience has / have been clapping the hands for 10 minutes.
12. Native people are called aborigines. (passive)
13. Our dancing group have / has never been successful.
14. Have you ever seen a colony of ants that was / were slowly walking through the
forest?
15. My family have / has just had a good breakfast.
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