Question

Which agreement rule applies to a singular collective noun functioning as a unit? a. use a singular verb b. use a plural verb c. make the verb agree with the subject closest to the verb d. use a plural verb if the collective noun uses and

Answer 1

It's definitely A. Eg : Police is an institution. The police come (police members, not the entire police) when bad things happen.

Answer 2

The correct answer is A. use a singular verb.

If a noun is singular, but also collective, it means that it has the form of a singular noun, but refers to more than one entity. However, based on the context, it will either take a singular, or a plural verb.

For example: The team is quite good (where the team is a collective noun referring to all members together) VS. The team are not behaving properly (where this refers to all members individually).