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Collective Nouns in a sentence



 
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Collective Nouns in a sentence #1 (permalink) Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:29 am   Collective Nouns in a sentence
 

Hello,

What would be the correct way of expressing a collective noun in a stentence please?

I am considering the example like this 'All those stunning huge deepwater water fish (collective noun) were displayed here with an open surface.

Is this right?

Thanks
Shabreena
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Collective Nouns in a sentence #2 (permalink) Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:37 am   Collective Nouns in a sentence
 

Hi Shabreena!
JUst testing forum.
I'm from Brazil and my English is too slow yet.

Have a good day EVERYONE!

Carlos Brazil
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Collective Nouns in a sentence #3 (permalink) Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:39 am   Collective Nouns in a sentence
 

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Hi,

In your example the verb can be plural because 'fish' like the word 'sheep' is the same both in the singular and the plural. With collective nouns like for example -'audience' 'crowd' 'family' and so on, the following verb can be either singular or plural. It really depends on whether you consider the underlying meaning in the collective noun is a singular entity or it is made up of separate parts.

Alan
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Collective Nouns in a sentence #4 (permalink) Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:53 am   Collective Nouns in a sentence
 

Thanks Alan,

From what you've described, should I be re-writing like this? 'All those stunning huge deepwater water fishes (collective noun) were displayed here with an open surface'. I meant to say fish in plural form.

I can't quite get the sentence properly. Please help.
Shabreena
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Joined: 23 Dec 2008
Posts: 15

Collective Nouns in a sentence #5 (permalink) Sun Aug 23, 2009 12:10 pm   Collective Nouns in a sentence
 

Hi,

As I said, 'fish' can be used for the plural and so the 'es' isn't needed.

This sentence is fine: All those stunning huge deep-water water fish (collective noun) were displayed here ...

Alan
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