Words Denoting Groups And Collections

To talk about a limited quantity of something we use a word like piece or bit, together with of, before an uncountable noun. Bit is informal, and usually suggests a small quantity.

  • A piece/bit of cake/bread
  • Some pieces/bits of paper/wood
  • A piece/bit of news/information

There are other words too. Some common examples are given below.

  • A bar of soap/chocolate
  • A blade of grass
  • A block of ice
  • A drop of water/oil/vinegar
  • A grain of sand/salt/rice
  • An item of clothing/furniture
  • A loaf of bread
  • A slice of bread/cake/meat
  • A sheet of paper/metal/plastic/stamps
  • A stick of chalk/celery
  • A suit of clothes/armour
  • A bale of cotton

Pairs

Pair is used for many things that come in pairs.

  • A pair of shoes/socks/ear-rings
  • A pair of glasses/binoculars
  • A pair of trousers/jeans/pyjamas
  • A pair of scissors/pliers

Collections

Special words are used before certain nouns to talk about groups or collections.

  • An army/a regiment/a battalion of soldiers
  • A band of musicians
  • A basket of fruits
  • A bench of judges
  • A bevy of girls/women
  • A board of trustees/directors/examiners
  • A brood of chickens
  • A bunch of flowers/grapes
  • A bundle of sticks
  • A caravan of merchants/pilgrims/travelers
  • A chain of mountains
  • A congress of representatives/delegates
  • A consignment of goods
  • A crew of sailors
  • A constellation of stars
  • A fleet of ships
  • A flight of birds
  • A flock of sheep/geese
  • A galaxy of stars
  • A gang of prisoners/robbers/thieves/labourers
  • A group of islands
  • A heap of junk/stones/sand
  • A herd of cattle/deer/goats
  • A hive of bees
  • A horde of pirates/robbers/savages
  • A league of nations
  • A litter of pigs/puppies
  • A pack of hounds
  • A pride of lions/peacocks
  • A swarm of bees/ants
  • A volley of shots/bullets

 

Manjusha Nambiar

Hi, I am Manjusha. This is my blog where I give English grammar lessons and worksheets.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.