List of Important Collective Nouns for Competitive Exams। Grammar Basics: Collective Nouns। Frequently asked in All Competitive Exams | Master Fill in the blanks questions for SSC, CGL Exam 2026
Exam Favorite: Topic (Collective Nouns)
Acquiring proficiency in collective nouns is relatively straightforward,
with 4 to 5 questions consistently featuring in competitive exams.
Examiners usually ask questions related to collective nouns which we are
not supposed to use in our daily life.
For example:
Group of Animals and Birds:
- Living Being: Crow
- Collective Noun: A murder of crows
- We don't use this in our daily life.
- Generally, it is asked in competitive exam.
- Living Being: Geese
- Collective Noun: A gaggle of geese
In the above picture, the word 'skein' is used for geese in flight, in other words,
we can say when geese migrate form a V shape line, so a group of geese in the sky
iscalled a skein. But when a group of geese is on the ground, is known as gaggle.
Here are some collective nouns for groups of birds and animals:
1. A murder of crows
2. A parliament of owls
3. A pride of lions
4. A pod of dolphins
5. A gaggle of geese
6. A school of fish
7. A flock of sheep
8. A pack of wolves
9. A colony of ants
10. A swarm of bees
11. A troop of monkeys
12. A caravan of camels
13. A tower of giraffes
14. A leap of leopards
15. A crash of rhinoceroses
These collective nouns reflect the unique qualities or behaviors of the animals they describe, adding richness to our language and understanding of the natural world.
Groups of People and Occupations:
Here are 15 collective nouns for groups of people based on their professions:
1. A panel of judges – A group of judges who may preside over a court or competition.
2. A troupe of dancers– A group of dancers who perform together.
3. A choir of singers– A group of singers who perform choral music.
4. A crew of sailors – A group of sailors working on a ship.
5. A band of musicians – A group of musicians who play instruments together.
6. A team of athletes – A group of athletes competing in sports.
7. A staff of teachers – A group of educators working at a school.
8. A cast of actors – A group of actors performing in a play or film.
9. A fleet of drivers – A group of drivers, often referring to those operating vehicles for a company.
10. A board of directors – A group of individuals elected to oversee the activities of a company.
11. A regiment of soldiers – A military unit composed of soldiers.
12. A panel of experts – A group of individuals recognized as authorities in a particular field.
13. An orchestra of musicians – A large ensemble of instrumentalists.
14. A parliament of owls – A whimsical term sometimes used for a group of owls, but metaphorically applicable to wise individuals.
15. A pack of scouts – A group of scouts, often referring to members of a scouting organization.
These collective nouns are often used to describe groups working together in their respective fields.
Collection of things:
Here are 15 examples of collective nouns used to describe groups of things:
1. A flock of birds
2. A herd of cattle
3. A school of fish
4. A pride of lions
5. A pack of wolves
6. A swarm of bees
7. A colony of ants
8. A gaggle of geese
9. A pod of dolphins
10. A troop of monkeys
11. A bouquet of flowers
12. A cluster of grapes
13. A crowd of people
14. A fleet of ships
15. A galaxy of stars
These collective nouns illustrate how language can creatively categorize groups of similar
items, often evoking imagery or highlighting characteristics of the groups.
Fill in the blanks with answers:
PYQ of Collective Nouns for Competitive Exams:
How do we learn collective nouns:
PYQ for SSC, CGL with answers:
Tip for the Aspirants:
Collective nouns usually take a singular verb when the group acts as one unit.
Let's clarify it by using the following example:
- The team are divided in their verdict.
Here the word 'team' is treated as plural noun for the verb(are) and plural pronoun
(their) to show team members as individuals.
- The team has given the verdict.
Here the word ' team' is treated as a whole unit, that is why, it takes a singular verb(has).
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