A collective noun is a singular noun which refers to a group of people, such as family, committee, government, BBC, NATO. Collective nouns can be used with either a singular or a plural verb: my family was always hard-working; his family were disappointed in him. With a singular verb you are emphasizing the group; with a plural verb, the individuals in the group. Generally speaking, in the US it is more usual for collective nouns to be followed by a singular verb. Bear in mind that any following pronouns or adjectives must be singular or plural like the verb: the government is prepared to act, but not until it knows the outcome of the latest talks (not . . . until they know the outcome . . .): the family have all moved back into their former home.
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