With what words are collective numerals used: girls, dogs, house? - briefly
Collective numerals in English are typically used with words that denote groups or collections of items or beings. These numerals are often paired with nouns that can be counted in groups, such as "girls," "dogs," and "houses."
Collective numerals such as "both," "few," "several," and "many" are commonly used with countable nouns. For instance, one might say "both girls," "several dogs," or "many houses." These numerals help to quantify the number of items or beings in a collective sense, providing a general idea of quantity without specifying an exact number.
With what words are collective numerals used: girls, dogs, house? - in detail
Collective numerals, also known as collective numbers, are used to denote a group or collection of items. In English, these numerals are typically used with specific types of nouns to indicate a quantity of items considered as a single unit. The usage of collective numerals varies depending on the noun they modify. Let's examine how collective numerals are used with the nouns "girls," "dogs," and "house."
For the noun "girls," collective numerals are generally not applicable. "Girls" is a plural noun that refers to multiple female individuals. Collective numerals are not typically used with plural nouns that denote individual entities. Instead, one would use cardinal numbers to specify the exact number of girls. For example, "There are five girls in the room."
When it comes to the noun "dogs," collective numerals can be used in specific scenarios, particularly when referring to a group of dogs as a single unit. For instance, "a pack of dogs" is a common phrase where "pack" acts as a collective noun. However, collective numerals themselves are not frequently used with "dogs." Instead, cardinal numbers are more commonly employed. For example, "There are three dogs in the yard."
The noun "house" is a singular noun that refers to a single building. Collective numerals are not typically used with "house" because it is not a countable noun in the plural sense. Instead, one would use cardinal numbers to specify the number of houses. For example, "There are ten houses on the street." However, if one were to refer to a collection of houses as a single unit, a collective noun like "neighborhood" or "estate" might be used. For instance, "a neighborhood of houses" or "an estate of houses."
In summary, collective numerals are not commonly used with the nouns "girls" and "house." For "girls," cardinal numbers are the standard choice. For "house," cardinal numbers are used to specify the quantity, and collective nouns can be used to refer to a group of houses as a single unit. With "dogs," while collective numerals are not frequently used, collective nouns like "pack" can be employed to refer to a group of dogs. Understanding these nuances is essential for accurate and effective communication in English.