What is the rule for agreement when using collective nouns?

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What is the rule for agreement when using collective nouns?

The rule for agreement when using collective nouns is that they can be treated as either singular or plural, depending on the context and the intended meaning.

When a collective noun is used to refer to a group as a single entity, it is treated as singular and requires singular verb forms and pronouns. For example, "The team is practicing for the game" or "The committee has made its decision."

However, when a collective noun is used to emphasize the individual members of the group, it is treated as plural and requires plural verb forms and pronouns. For example, "The team are all wearing their jerseys" or "The committee are divided in their opinions."

In some cases, the choice between singular and plural agreement can depend on regional or personal preferences. For instance, in British English, collective nouns are more commonly treated as plural, while in American English, they are often treated as singular.

It is important to note that the context and intended meaning should guide the choice of agreement when using collective nouns.