collective noun
noun
- Grammar a count noun that denotes a group of individuals (e.g. assembly, family, crew)【语法】集合名词（例如assembly, family, crew）。
USAGE
A collective noun can be used with either a singular verb （my family was always hard-working） or a plural verb （his family were disappointed in him）. Generally speaking, in Britain it is more usual for collective nouns to be followed by a plural verb while in the US the opposite is true. Notice that, if the verb is singular, any following pronouns must be too: the government is prepared to act, but not until it knows the outcome of the latest talks （not ... until they know the outcome ...）.