This document discusses collective nouns and inverted sentences. Collective nouns name groups and can be singular or plural depending on whether they refer to the group as a whole or individual members. Examples are given of collective nouns taking singular or plural verbs. Inverted sentences have the subject following the verb, and the normal word order can be restored by restating the sentence. Examples are provided of inverted sentences and their restatements in normal word order. The subject usually follows the verb in sentences beginning with here or there and in questions.

1. Collective Nouns
and
Inverted
sentences

2. Collective Nouns
• A collective noun is singular in form but names a group of persons, animals, or things.
• Common Collective Nouns
• audience committee group swarm
• class family herd team
• club flock jury troop
• Collective nouns may be either singular or plural. A collective noun takes a singular verb
when the noun refers to the group as a unit. A collective noun takes a plural verb when the
noun refers to the individual parts or members of the group.
• EXAMPLES
• The team has earned the award.
• [The team as a unit has earned the award.]
• The team have arrived in separate cars.
• [Individual team members are in separate cars.]

3. Inverted Sentences
• When the subject of a sentence follows the verb, the word order is said to be inverted. To find the subject of a
sentence with inverted order, restate the sentence in normal word order.
• INVERTED: In the city live several famous authors.
• RESTATED: Several famous authors live in the city.
• INVERTED: Were the Bennetts with you?
• RESTATED: The Bennetts were with you.
• When the subject follows the verb, find the subject and make sure that the verb agrees with it. The subject usually
follows the verb in sentences beginning with here or there and in questions.
• EXAMPLES
• Here is my computer.
• What were those noises?
• Does lightning strike twice?