[HPforGrownups] Re: Grammar question

[Simon Biber]

No: HPFGUIDX 11309

> Sheep isn't quite the same as the other examples you give, because
> the word is exactly the same in singular and plural usage (whereas
> you could have several councils or assemblies).  Would you say "The
> sheep was grazing in the field" in Am English if there were several
> sheep?

Sheep isn't a collective noun. It's a standard common noun, except that, as
you say, the singular and plural are the same. Your example is correct for
one sheep but wrong for multiple sheep.

Simon.