plural collective nouns

[Richard Jensen]

English grammar does have "rules" regarding the use of collective nouns.  While a
standard rule in English is that a plural noun requires a plural verb

        government is...
        governments are...

there are exceptions when it comes to collective nouns.  And, one thing we have to
remember, when using scientific names that are based in Latin, is that our usage
must be consistent with the rules of the language in which we are writing, not the
language of origin of the noun.

For example, Fagaceae as a family name is a Latin plural.  But, when used in
English, it may take a singular or plural verb depending upon the context.

    "Fagaceae is recognized as a taxon based on the following characters..."
    "Fagaceae are found in Asia, Europe, North America, South America..."

In the first sentence, the verb is singular because the reference is to Fagaceae *as
a single entity,* a family of plants.  In the second sentence, the noun is plural
because the reference is to various members of the Fagaceae, none of which occurs on
each continent.  The two sentences could be rewritten as follows:

    "The family Fagaceae is recognized as a taxon based on the following
characters..."
    "Members of Fagaceae are found in Asia,..."

We generally avoid writing "The family Fagaceae..." because the phrase "The family"
is redundant; but our use of a singular verb makes our intention implicit.  In the
second exampe, we generally avoid the phrase "Members of" for the same reason; it is
redundant and the plural verb makes it implicit that we are talking about various
members of the family, not the entire family.

So, whether or not scientific names take singular or plural verbs is a function of
the implicit usage; if we are refering to the taxon as a whole, the verb should be
singular.  If we are refering to members of the taxon, the verb should be plural.

--
Richard J. Jensen              TEL: 219-284-4674
Department of Biology      FAX: 219-284-4716
Saint Mary's College         E-mail: rjensen at saintmarys.edu
Notre Dame, IN  46556     http://www.saintmarys.edu/~rjensen