Collective nouns are words that describe groups of people or things, e.g. “family” or “team”. Grammatically they are singular, but as they describe more than one individual, they may also take the plural form of a verb or use a plural pronoun.
For example, do we say “The family is arriving tomorrow” or “The family are arriving tomorrow”?
Is a family “it” or “they”?
The answer depends on whether you’re using British or American English, and on the emphasis you wish to make.
Very generally, in British English collective nouns are commonly treated as plurals, e.g. The government are debating the tax proposal. While in American English they take the singular verb form, e.g. The government is debating the tax proposal.
Usage of singular or plural also depends on whether you are emphasising the individuals in the group or the group as a single entity.
The below examples emphasise the individual members of the collective nouns rather than the collection as a single entity:
The management board were unable to agree with each other.
The team were walking through the gate in ones and twos.
The audience haven’t all arrived yet.
Not all the staff are happy about the new arrangements.
These examples emphasise the collective noun as a single entity:
The management board gave its consent.
The team was playing like a well-oiled machine.
The audience is ready for the concert to begin.
The staff accepts the new arrangements.
Other common collective nouns:
committee
company
group
class
jury
tribe
enemy
army
couple
Exceptions:
Police – always takes the plural: “Police are…” Always refer to the police as “they”.
Number – when using the phrase “a number of” to mean “several” – use the plural.
E.g. A number of options were presented.
A number of students have fallen ill.
When using the phrase “the number” to mean “the amount” – use the singular.
E.g. The number of protestors was astonishing.
The huge number of people arriving at the event has taken the organisers by complete surprise.
Common Mistakes in Business English 
Lovely thanks
Thanks Barnaby, very helpful.
very well explained and complete
Nice, thank you so much 🙂
Really helpful. Thank you so much.
You didn’t directly answer the question.
As an American, I would only say “the family is….”
I didn’t directly answer the question because the answer is “both”. But thanks for your input. I’m glad I’m right about Americans using “is”.
All the family was? Or All the family were?
Either – the same rule applies as for “is” and “are” as explained in the post. The choice depends on whether you wish to emphasise the family as a single entity or as individuals.
Thank you, very helpful =)
Can someone please help me with this: the value of the family OR the value of family.
Which one is correct? Thanks in advance : )
Both. I assume you’re speaking in general terms – about all families. Both of your structures speak in general terms. But their meanings may be perceived to be slightly different. “The value of the family” could be understood to refer to the nuclear family – i.e. mother, father, and children, while “the value of family” could be understood more widely – i.e. the nuclear family plus extended family.
In British English:
„How is your family?“
„I’m afraid I haven’t seen them/it since Christmas.“
Is it them or it? Thank you very much in advance.
Hi Stephanie – we would use “them” because we are obviously referring to a group of people.
Hi,
what if we refer to the family by the last name?
‘Where do/does the Masons live?’
Hi Rozalia,
The “Masons” is plural, so we use plural forms – “Where do the Masons live?”, “When did you last see them?” etc.
Thank you 😊