Nouns with the same singular and plural forms

Some nouns do not change in form These include

- names of certain animals, birds and fish deer grouse mackerel plaice salmon sheep trout This sheep is from Australia These sheep are from Australia

- craft and aircraft/hovercraft/spacecraft The craft was sunk All the craft were sunk (But compare Arts and crafts are part of the curriculum)

- certain nouns describing nationalities e g a Chinese a Swiss a Vietnamese [> App 49] He is a Vietnamese The Vietnamese are noted for their cookery

Note that some names of fish, etc can form a regular plural Herrings were (or Herring were) once very plentiful

Fish is the normal plural of fish (singular), but fishes can also be used,

especially to refer to species of fish

My goldfish has died (one) My goldfish have died (more than one) You II see many kinds of fish(es) in the fish market

2.28 Collective noun + singular or plural verb

Collective nouns which have plural forms

Some collective nouns such as audience class club committee company congregation council crew crowd family gang government group jury mob staff team and union can be used with singular or plural verbs They are singular and can combine with the relative pronouns which/that and be replaced by it when we think of them in an impersonal fashion, i e as a whole group

The present government, which hasn't been in power long is

trying to control inflation It isn't having much success They are plural and can combine with who and be replaced by they or them when we think of them in a more personal way, i e as the individuals that make up the group

The government, who are looking for a quick victory are calling

for a general election soon They expect to be re-elected A lot of

people are giving them their support These collective nouns can also have regular plural forms

Governments in all countries are trying to control inflation For plural nouns in a collective sense (e g the workers) [> 3.19.4] Some proper nouns (e g football teams) can be used as collectives

Arsenal is/are playing away on Saturday

2 Nouns