Subject-Verb Agreement: Collective Nouns Quiz | Beginner Level | 10 Questions & Answers with Explanations

"Jury" is a collective noun acting as one unit here, so it takes a singular verb.

Correct sentence: "The jury has delivered its verdict after hours of deliberation."

Memory hook: "jury," like "team" and "committee," is a group acting together as one body — treat it as singular.

"Team" is a collective noun acting as one unit, so it takes a singular verb.

Correct sentence: "The team is playing exceptionally well this season."

Memory hook: in Indian competitive exams, "team" always takes a singular verb — don't follow British usage that sometimes allows plural.

"A number of" means "many," giving it a plural meaning, so it takes a plural verb.

Correct sentence: "A number of students were absent from school today."

Memory hook: replace "a number of" with "many" — "many students were absent" confirms the plural verb.

"Committee" is a collective noun acting as one unit, so it takes a singular verb.

Correct sentence: "The committee is meeting tomorrow to discuss the new proposal."

Memory hook: add "committee" to your list of singular collective nouns alongside "team" and "jury."

"A number of" means "many," so it takes a plural verb.

Correct sentence: "A number of complaints were received by the office last week."

Memory hook: this reinforces the "many" substitution test once more — "many complaints were received" confirms the plural.

"Class" is a collective noun acting as one unit, so it takes a singular verb.

Correct sentence: "The class is preparing for the annual exhibition."

Memory hook: "class," like "team" and "committee," is a group of students acting together — singular.

"The number of" refers to a specific count/statistic, a single figure, so it takes a singular verb.

Correct sentence: "The number of accidents on this road is increasing every year."

Memory hook: "the number" itself is one figure/statistic — always singular, unlike "a number of," which is plural.

"The number of" refers to a specific count, so it takes a singular verb, regardless of the plural noun "students" that follows.

Correct sentence: "The number of students who passed the exam is higher this year."

Memory hook: don't let "students" pull you toward a plural verb — "the number" is the actual subject, and it's always singular.

"Family" is a collective noun acting as one unit, so it takes a singular verb.

Correct sentence: "The family is planning a vacation to Kerala next month."

Memory hook: "family," when acting together as a single unit (planning one trip together), takes a singular verb — add it to your collective-noun list.

"A number of" means "many," so it takes a plural verb.

Correct sentence: "A number of employees have requested a change in the work schedule."

Memory hook: this rounds out the beginner level — "a number of" always plural, "the number of" always singular; keep these two firmly separated in your mind.