Last visit was: 27 Apr 2026, 23:49 It is currently 27 Apr 2026, 23:49
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Adyy96
User avatar
Joined: 13 Jun 2016
Last visit: 09 May 2019
Posts: 16
Own Kudos:
12
Given Kudos: 47
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V48
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V48
Posts: 16
Kudos: 12
Collective nouns are treated as singular, but has exceptions? 02 Aug 2016, 13:56
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I ve recently found that collective nouns like "cattle" and "police" are exceptions to this singular usage. What are the other exceptions? How to identify them?
User avatar
msk0657
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 26 Nov 2012
Last visit: 14 Feb 2020
Posts: 455
Own Kudos:
569
Given Kudos: 46
Posts: 455
Kudos: 569
Collective nouns are treated as singular, but has exceptions? 02 Aug 2016, 16:20
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Adyy96
I ve recently found that collective nouns like "cattle" and "police" are exceptions to this singular usage. What are the other exceptions? How to identify them?
Show more


GMAT is based on American usage and in GMAT collective nouns are considered singular.
User avatar
Adyy96
User avatar
Joined: 13 Jun 2016
Last visit: 09 May 2019
Posts: 16
Own Kudos:
12
Given Kudos: 47
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V48
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V48
Posts: 16
Kudos: 12
Collective nouns are treated as singular, but has exceptions? 03 Aug 2016, 05:54
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
msk0657 yeah but recently i encountered some questions that were stated as 700+ level in Gmat club itself
The correct answer had cattle being used as plural, then i checked it on net and found there are some exceptions like cattle and police.

I need to know other exceptions if there are any and how to identify them
User avatar
msk0657
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 26 Nov 2012
Last visit: 14 Feb 2020
Posts: 455
Own Kudos:
569
Given Kudos: 46
Posts: 455
Kudos: 569
Collective nouns are treated as singular, but has exceptions? 03 Aug 2016, 10:10
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Adyy96
msk0657 yeah but recently i encountered some questions that were stated as 700+ level in Gmat club itself
The correct answer had cattle being used as plural, then i checked it on net and found there are some exceptions like cattle and police.

I need to know other exceptions if there are any and how to identify them
Show more


In some rare circumstances, collective nouns can be considered plural (e.g., when you emphasize the individual actors, not their unity)...as per MGMAT.

Can you share me the questions along with options...
User avatar
Adyy96
User avatar
Joined: 13 Jun 2016
Last visit: 09 May 2019
Posts: 16
Own Kudos:
12
Given Kudos: 47
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V48
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V48
Posts: 16
Kudos: 12
Collective nouns are treated as singular, but has exceptions? 07 Aug 2016, 14:13
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
msk0657
Adyy96
msk0657 yeah but recently i encountered some questions that were stated as 700+ level in Gmat club itself
The correct answer had cattle being used as plural, then i checked it on net and found there are some exceptions like cattle and police.

I need to know other exceptions if there are any and how to identify them


In some rare circumstances, collective nouns can be considered plural (e.g., when you emphasize the individual actors, not their unity)...as per MGMAT.

Can you share me the questions along with options...
Show more

i dont have the question actually
i saw it on gmat club itslef
but if i get to see it again
ill post it here surely


Sent from my iPhone using GMAT Club Forum mobile app
User avatar
mcelroytutoring
User avatar
Joined: 10 Jul 2015
Last visit: 19 Mar 2026
Posts: 1,206
Own Kudos:
2,675
Given Kudos: 282
Status:Expert GMAT, GRE, and LSAT Tutor / Coach
Affiliations: Harvard University, A.B. with honors in Government, 2002
Location: United States (CO)
Age: 45 (10 years and counting on GMAT Club!)
GMAT 1: 770 Q47 V48
GMAT 2: 730 Q44 V47
GMAT 3: 750 Q50 V42
GMAT 4: 730 Q48 V42 (Online)
GRE 1: Q168 V169
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 4: 730 Q48 V42 (Online)
GRE 1: Q168 V169
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 1,206
Kudos: 2,675
Collective nouns are treated as singular, but has exceptions? 09 Aug 2016, 22:23
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Adyy96
I ve recently found that collective nouns like "cattle" and "police" are exceptions to this singular usage. What are the other exceptions? How to identify them?
Show more

These are tricky, but I can agree that "the police is coming to my house" sounds weird.

A similar word is "people."

The good news? The word on the street is that the actual GMAT is focusing more on meaning and less on English-language idioms.
User avatar
Adyy96
User avatar
Joined: 13 Jun 2016
Last visit: 09 May 2019
Posts: 16
Own Kudos:
12
Given Kudos: 47
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V48
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V48
Posts: 16
Kudos: 12
Collective nouns are treated as singular, but has exceptions? 13 Aug 2016, 09:14
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
mcelroytutoring
Adyy96
I ve recently found that collective nouns like "cattle" and "police" are exceptions to this singular usage. What are the other exceptions? How to identify them?

These are tricky, but I can agree that "the police is coming to my house" sounds weird.

A similar word is "people."

The good news? The word on the street is that the actual GMAT is focusing more on meaning and less on English-language idioms.
Show more

Thank you so much mate for the info :)


Sent from my iPhone using GMAT Club Forum mobile app
User avatar
GMATPill
User avatar
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
Last visit: 17 Sep 2020
Posts: 2,260
Own Kudos:
3,853
Given Kudos: 8
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 2,260
Kudos: 3,853
Collective nouns are treated as singular, but has exceptions? 20 Aug 2016, 12:35
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
A good example of this singular/plural noun concept is with this question
https://www.gmatpill.com/gmat-practice-t ... stion/2409

View the commentary for some more details
User avatar
Adyy96
User avatar
Joined: 13 Jun 2016
Last visit: 09 May 2019
Posts: 16
Own Kudos:
12
Given Kudos: 47
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V48
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V48
Posts: 16
Kudos: 12
Collective nouns are treated as singular, but has exceptions? 22 Aug 2016, 09:53
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
GMATPill
A good example of this singular/plural noun concept is with this question
https://www.gmatpill.com/gmat-practice-t ... stion/2409

View the commentary for some more details
Show more


Thanks Gmatpill :)