有些集体名词通常作复数看待，但相应表示其成员的词，却可有单数形式：

　　The nobility have become poor.

　　This nobleman has become poor.

　　The peasantry(or tenantry，yeomanry)were underfed.

　　The peasant(or tenant)was underfed.

　　The gentry are rich.

　　This gentleman is rich.

　　The police are well-trained.

　　That policeman is well-trained.

　　Mankind are destroying their own civilization.

　　Man is destroying his own civilization.

　　Humanity is destroying its own civilization.

　　The human beings are destroying their own civilization.

　　The laity are not able to understand this term.

　　A layman is not able to understand this term.

　　The clergy are opposed to it.

　　A clergywman is among us.

　　The cavalry have fought bravely.

　　This cavalryman has done something great.

　　The infantry were defeated.

　　Every infantryman was healthy and strong.

　　The militia are to defend their town.

　　No militiaman knows about the infiltration of the enemy.

　　The youth are the future of a nation.

　　A youth is waiting at the bus stop for his girlfriend.

　　The British(or English，Irish，Scotch，Spanish，Dutch，French)are....

　　A Briton(or Englishman，Irishman，Scotsman，Spaniard，Dutchman，Frenchman)is....

　　有些集体名词，形式上是单数，前面却可以加数词，后面跟复数动词：

　　A hundred clergy are meeting.

　　Twenty police(=Twenty policemen)are coming.

　　Twenty thousand infantry are setting out.

　　Many gentry are opposed to the measure.

　　Those folk(s)(or people)are hard-headed.

　　His sixteen offspring are all working with him.

　　All his kindred are living in London.

　　Three million population of this city are well-fed.

　　Four thousand cattle are to be exported.

　　有些名词经常有-s或-es词尾，它们都跟复数动词：

　　The eaves are pretty.

　　Riches are not always dependable.

　　The odds are against us.(比较：What is the odds?——口语体)

　　Thanks are expressed.

　　Clothes are(Clothing is)not much needed here.

　　These goods are to be delivered.

　　另一些这类名词是：archives，assets，belongings，earnings，grounds，rapids，nuptials，oats，premises，procceeds，quarters，remains，savings，scales，woods，winnings

　　有些疾病的名称带有-s词尾，但都作单数看待：

　　The measles(or mumps，rickets，smallpox，shingles)is a disease very common in this village.

　　有些名词通常带-s或-es词尾，它们后面既可跟单数动词，也可跟复数动词：

　　抽象名词：

　　Every means(= method) has been used.All means(=methods) have been used.

　　An alms(or Much alms)was given to the poor.

　　These alms were given to the poor.

　　Great(or Much，Little)pains have(or has)been taken.

　　The tidings is(or are)bad.(比较：The news is—不能用are—bad.)

　　His wages are 3000 dollars a month.The wages of sin is death (old usage).A living wage is received only by a few work-ers.

　　An amends is necessary.These amends are satisfactory.

　　This species is rare.These species are valuable.

　　A series of battles was(or were)being fought.

　　Many series of battles have been fought.

　　地方名称：

　　The headquarters of the trade is in London.The headquarters of these various trades are in London.

　　A barracks is standing on the hill.Some barracks are the largest in this country.

　　A(general)stores is located at the corner.Several new(gen-eral)stores are being set up.

　　A glass-works is being built.These two glass-works are the best in this area.

　　A golf-links(= golf-course)is in the eastern part of the city.

　　Some golf-links are very far from here.

　　A crossroads is usually dangerous，but some crossroads are safe.

　　A gallows is being set up.Some gallows are left idle.

　　A shambles has replaced the prosperous city.Many shambles present themselves to our eyes.

　　Kensington Gardens is a nice place.There are not many botanical gardens in this country.

　　A lodgings is easy to find.Many lodgings are for rent.

　　“Is there a public baths here?”“There are many public baths.”

　　A kennels is where dogs are bred.Some kennels sell precious dogs.

　　His whereabouts is(or are) unknown.