Does a collective noun describe a group of people or things as a single unit or more than one/plural? Give an example of a collective noun.
A collective noun describes a group of people or things as a single unit. However, it is important to note that collective nouns can be used with singular or plural verbs, depending on whether emphasis is placed on the group acting as a whole or on the individual members within the group.
Example of a collective noun: "family"
- The family is preparing for a trip. (treating the family as a single unit)
- The family are discussing their plans. (emphasizing the individual members within the family)
How do you tell the difference between a gerund and a present participle?
The main difference between a gerund and a present participle lies in their function within a sentence and their ability to take on certain roles.
A gerund functions as a noun and is derived from a verb by adding the "-ing" suffix. It can be the subject or object of a sentence, or it can be used as a complement or the object of a preposition. Gerunds typically refer to activities or actions.
Examples of gerunds:
- Swimming is my favorite hobby. (subject)
- I enjoy dancing. (object)
- Her favorite activity is cycling. (complement)
- He is interested in learning. (object of a preposition)
On the other hand, a present participle functions as an adjective, describes a noun, and also ends with the "-ing" suffix. Present participles are commonly used to describe ongoing actions or temporary states.
Examples of present participles:
- The running water was refreshing. (describing water)
- She saw a crying baby in the park. (describing baby)
- The exhausted hiker finally reached the summit. (describing hiker)
- The burning candle emitted a sweet scent. (describing candle)
Although their form is the same, the distinction between a gerund and a present participle is generally determined by their function in a sentence.
Is this sentence written in the passive or active voice?
“The girl was given a medal by the mayor for her bravery.”
The sentence "The girl was given a medal by the mayor for her bravery" is written in the passive voice. In passive voice constructions, the subject of the sentence receives the action rather than performing it. In this case, the girl is receiving the action of being given a medal by the mayor.
Is this sentence written in the passive or active voice?
“Philip yelled loudly when the rain made the creek too high to cross.”