Pair and Group Nouns

SINGULAR

The family is a very old and famous one.

The orchestra consists of eighty-six musicians.

• When we mean the group as a whole, we use a singular verb.

  We use it and its. The committee has made its decision.

PLURAL

The family are delighted with their presents.

The orchestra don't know what to play.

• When we mean the individual people in the group, we normally use a plural verb.

  We use they, them and their. The class will miss their lessons because they are all going on a trip.