Is Patrol a Collective Noun? (Explained with Examples)

Last Modified: 2025-06-18

Is patrol a collective noun? Is patrol a common noun? Is patrol a concrete noun? Which type of noun is patrol?

Welcome, students! When we talk about a group of people, especially soldiers or police, sent to keep watch over an area, we use the word 'patrol'. The word patrol is a collective noun because it names a group of individuals as a single unit. It is also a common noun as it refers to a general type of group or the act of keeping watch. Let's explore these ideas.

Patrol is a Collective Noun. Patrol is not a Proper Noun. Patrol is a common noun and can be concrete or abstract.

The word 'patrol' can be different types of nouns depending on the context:

  • As a collective noun, it refers to a group of soldiers or police whose job is to patrol an area. Example: "A patrol of soldiers guarded the border."
  • As an abstract noun, it refers to the act of walking or travelling around an area in order to guard it. Example: "The soldiers were on patrol."
  • In all cases, 'patrol' is a common noun. A specific name, like the "Border Security Force," would be a proper noun.
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Functions of 'Patrol' in a Sentence

As a noun, 'patrol' can serve various functions in a sentence:

  • As a Subject: The night patrol reported that all was quiet. (Collective)
  • As a Direct Object: The captain sent out a patrol. (Collective)
  • As an Object of a Preposition: The officer was on patrol all night. (Abstract)
  • As a Subject Complement: The small group of soldiers was a reconnaissance patrol. (Collective)

Different Uses of the Noun 'Patrol'

The word 'patrol' is used for a group of people keeping watch or for the act itself.

  • For People (Collective): It is used for a group of people, especially soldiers or police, assigned to a specific area.
    Examples: A foot patrol, a border patrol.
  • For Concepts (Abstract): It refers to the action of patrolling.
    Example: The security guard is on patrol.

'Patrol' (Common Noun) vs. Specific Patrols (Proper Nouns)

It is important to understand the difference between the common noun 'patrol' and proper nouns for specific organizations.

Common NounProper Noun (Specific Name)Example Sentence
patrol The Delhi Police A patrol from The Delhi Police was seen in the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is patrol a collective noun?

Yes, patrol is a collective noun when it refers to a group of soldiers or police officers on duty.

Is patrol a common noun?

Yes, 'patrol' is also a common noun because it's a general term for any such group or the act of patrolling.

Is patrol a concrete noun?

'Patrol' is a concrete noun when referring to the group of people. It is an abstract noun when referring to the act of keeping watch.

Is patrol a proper noun?

No, the word 'patrol' itself is not a proper noun. However, the names of specific police forces or military units are proper nouns.

Is patrol a countable noun?

Yes, 'patrol' is a countable noun. You can send out one patrol or many patrols.

Practice Exercises on Nouns

Worksheet on Nouns: Identify the Noun Type

Identify the nouns as Collective, Common, or Proper.

  1. The night patrol consisted of a squad of officers.
  2. A platoon of soldiers was on patrol.
  3. The Border Security Force is a large police force.
  4. A team of volunteers formed a neighborhood watch patrol.
  5. The army sent a patrol to investigate the noise.
  6. The gang of criminals avoided the police patrol.
  7. A company of soldiers set up camp.
  8. A posse is an old word for a patrol of lawmen.
  9. The crew of the coast guard ship was on patrol.
  10. The regiment sent out several patrols.

Worksheet on Nouns: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blank with an appropriate collective noun.

  1. A _______ of soldiers guarded the border.
  2. The _______ of police officers was on high alert.
  3. A _______ of musicians played a patriotic song.
  4. The _______ of sheep was moved to a new pasture.
  5. A _______ of players was discussing strategy.
  6. A _______ of directors manages the company.
  7. A _______ of thieves was caught by the night patrol.
  8. The _______ of sailors was on duty.
  9. A _______ of experts joined the task force.
  10. The entire _______ of soldiers was ready for the muster.

Quizzes on Nouns

Quiz 1: True or False on Nouns

Read the statements and decide if they are True or False.

  1. 'Patrol' is a proper noun.
  2. 'Patrol' is a collective noun for a group of soldiers or police.
  3. When it means the act of keeping watch, 'patrol' is a concrete noun.
  4. In "A police patrol," 'patrol' is a collective noun.
  5. 'Police' is not a collective noun.

Quiz 2: Multiple Choice Question on Nouns

Choose the correct option for each question.

  1. Which of the following is a collective noun?
    (a) soldier (b) officer (c) squad
  2. In "The patrol car drove slowly," 'patrol' is a/an:
    (a) Adjective (b) Collective Noun (c) Verb
  3. Which of these is a proper noun?
    (a) police force (b) army (c) Central Reserve Police Force
  4. A 'squad' is a small group of:
    (a) soldiers (b) generals (c) ships
  5. A 'platoon' refers to a group of:
    (a) police officers (b) soldiers (c) sailors

Discover More Collective Nouns

Curious about other fascinating names for groups? Dive into our collection!

Ambush Anthology Archipelago Army Array Assembly Atlas Audience Aurora Babble Badling Bale Band Barony Barren Bask Batch Battalion Battery Bellowing Belt Bench Bevy Bloat Block Bloom Board Bouquet Brace Brethren Brigade Brood Bunch Bundle Cabinet Cackle Cadre Caravan Carillon Cartload Cast Catalogue Cauldron Cavalcade Century Cete Chain Charm Chest Chine Chirm Choir Clan Class Clattering Clew Clowder Club Clump Cluster Clutch Coalition Cohort Coil Collection Colony Committee Community Company Congregation Congress Conspiracy Constellation Convocation Corps Council Couple Court Coven Covey Crew Crowd Deck Delegation Drift Drove Dule Dynasty Ensemble Faculty Family Fesnyng File Fleet Flight Flock Fluffle Flush Fluther Fold Force Formation Fry Fusillade Gaggle Galaxy Gam Gang Gathering Generation Government Group Grove Guild Harras Haul Head Heap Herd Hive Hoard Horde Host Huddle Infestation Institution Inventory Jam Jumble Jury Kindle Kine Knesset Knot Library Line Litter Lock Mass Meeting Melee Menagerie Mess Mews Ministry Mission Mob Multitude Murder Murmuration Muster Network Nobility Number Nye Oodles Orchestra Order Organisation Outfit Pack Pair Panel Parade Parliament Party Passel Patrol Peal Pile Plague Platoon Pod Posse Pride Procession Quartet Queue Quire Quiver Rabble Raft Ramuda Ream Regiment Ring Rookery Roster Rout Row Salvo School Senate Series Set Sheaf Shiver Shoal Shock Shower Skein Smack Smeath Society Sord Sounder Spring Squad Squadron Stack Staff Stand String Stud Suite Summit Swarm Syndicate Team Thicket Throng Tower Train Tribe Troop Troupe Union Unit Unkindness Volary Volley Wake Wardrobe Warren Watch Web Wing Youth Zillion Zip Zombification Zone Zoo
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