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About this quote

What does it mean?
Lists nouns that represent groups or multitudes like Mob, Parliament, or Regiments.
In plain terms
Some words stand for large groups of people.
What can you take from it?
Collective nouns define groups.

Where it applies

  • writing
  • grammar study
  • linguistics

Putting it to work

  • writing clearly
  • studying language

Questions to consider

  • How do words shape group identity?
  • Why categorize nouns?

Another view

This classification ignores nuances in usage.

More from William Cobbett

  1. Grammar, perfectly understood, enables us, not only to express our meaning fully and clearly, but so to express it as to enable us to defy the ingenuity of man…

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  2. Sit down to write what you have thought, and not to think what you shall write.

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  3. I set out as a sort of self-dependent politician. My opinions were my own. I dashed at all prejudices. I scorned to follow anybody in matter of opinion.... All…

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