plural collective nouns

[Dave Williams]

In a message dated 31/10/1998 4:00:51 AM, it was written:

>Ordinarily, collective nouns are necessary because there
>is a need to pluralize those concepts in turn, e.g., family, families;
>people, peoples; herd, herds; etc.

Faculty, staff, flora, fauna; all of which are abused prolifically. "Five
faculty attended the meeting." "Staff will help with the task." "Look at all
the beautiful flora in the park!" And even my colleagues in the English
department don't seem to notice or care. It (collective nouns) is also a very
difficult concept for most individuals to grasp. Why, I don't know.

Dave Williams, Science Department Chair
Valencia Community College, East Campus
701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail
Orlando, FL 32825
Email: profdhw at aol.com
Vmail: 407-299-5000 Ext. 2443