Problem Subjects Pg. 166

Collective Nouns When a collective noun refers to a group as a unit, it is singular (with s) When it refers to a group acting as individuals it takes a plural verb (no s) In 1911 a robbery team steals the Mona Lisa. The “team” acts as one unit The team separates after the theft The “team” does their own thing.

Singular Nouns that end in “s” Some nouns that end in “s” appear to be plural, but they are not Ex. Mumps, measles, humanities, news, molasses, cactus, genetics, physics, syllabus, & octopus Molasses is used in many products you use everyday. A cactus grows in the desert.

Titles, Amounts, & Time Titles of art, books, & movies are always singular. Words that refer to weights and measures, numbers, lengths of time, and money are usually singular Star Wars is a great movie. Twelve years is a long time to wait. Fifty thousand dollars has been raised by the club.

Practice The team _______(play) its game today. The team ______(argue) about whose fault the loss was. The syllabus _______(say) we are doing page 158 today. Five weeks _______(be) is a long time. Romeo and Juliet ______(be) a terrible story. plays argue says is is