What words are used with collective numerals: girls, dogs, house, kittens, scissors, sleds? - briefly
The words "girls," "dogs," and "kittens" are typically used with plural collective nouns when referring to multiple individuals of the same type. For inanimate objects like "houses," "scissors," and "sleds," collective numerals can be used directly, as these words are inherently countable.
What words are used with collective numerals: girls, dogs, house, kittens, scissors, sleds? - in detail
Collective nouns, also known as mass nouns, refer to groups of items that are considered as a single unit. When using collective numerals with these nouns, it's essential to understand which words are typically associated with them. Let's explore this in detail:
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Girls: Collective numerals often used with "girls" include "dozen," "score" (20), and "hundred." For example, "A dozen girls were practicing for the dance recital," or "There were a score of girls playing in the park."
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Dogs: Similar to "girls," collective numerals like "dozen" and "score" are commonly used with "dogs." Additionally, the term "pack" can be used to refer to a group of dogs. For instance, "The trainer handled a dozen dogs effortlessly," or "A pack of dogs was running in the field."
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House: Unlike other nouns on this list, "house" is typically not associated with collective numerals because it generally refers to a single structure rather than multiple ones. However, in certain contexts, such as real estate, terms like "dozen houses" might be used to describe a group of properties.
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Kittens: For "kittens," the term "litter" is often used to refer to a group born at the same time. Additionally, collective numerals like "dozen" and "score" can apply. For example, "The cat had a litter of five kittens," or "There were a dozen kittens playing in the barn."
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Scissors: The term "pair" is commonly used with "scissors" to refer to two items that work together. Collective numerals are less common, but terms like "dozen pairs of scissors" can be used in specific contexts such as educational or industrial settings.
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Sleds: For "sleds," collective numerals like "dozen" and "score" are appropriate. Additionally, the term "fleet" might be used in certain contexts to refer to a group of sleds. For instance, "A dozen sleds were parked by the slope," or "The race featured a fleet of well-maintained sleds."
Understanding which collective numerals and associated words are appropriate for different nouns is crucial for clear and effective communication.