Collective nouns used in plural
Following collective nouns are always used in plural. They take a plural verb.
Gentry, people, vermin, public, mankind, poultry, folk, clergy, cattle, audience.
Incorrect
The gentry of our area is well educated.
Correct
The gentry of our area are well educated.
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Incorrect
The police is trying to search the lost child.
Correct
The police are trying to search the lost child.
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Incorrect
Whose poultry is this?
Correct
Whose poultry are these?
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Incorrect
Vermin destroys our property and health.
Correct
Vermin destroy our property and wealth.
Collective nouns crew, family, team etc can take singular or plural verb.
Singular: if we consider the word to mean a single group or unit.
Example:
Our team is the best.
Plural:if we take it to mean a number of individuals.
Example
Our teams are wearing new shirts.
Incorrect
The jury was divided in its opinion.
Correct
The jury were divided in their opinion.
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Incorrect
The committee is divided on this issue.
Correct
The committee are divided on this issue.
