Hello, I'm a language expert with a deep understanding of English grammar and usage. When it comes to the classification of nouns, there are several types, and one of them is the collective noun. Collective nouns are unique because they name a group of people, animals, or things considered as a single entity. Let's delve into the intricacies of the term "population" and its usage in the English language.

### Collective Nouns and Their Function

Collective nouns are used to represent a group as a whole. Examples include "family," "team," "government," "herd," and indeed, "population." These nouns are interesting because they can be treated as singular or plural depending on the context in which they are used.

### The Case of "Population"

The word population refers to all the people living in a particular place. It is a collective noun because it encapsulates a group of individuals into a single unit. However, the way it is treated in terms of singular or plural can vary:


1. Singular Use: When we consider the population as a single entity or a whole, we use a singular verb. For instance, "The population of the city is growing" implies that we are looking at the city's population as one collective group.


2. Plural Use: On the other hand, if we are thinking of the individuals within the population as separate entities, we might use a plural verb. An example would be, "The population were divided in their opinions," which suggests that the people within the population have differing views.

### Contextual Considerations

The decision to use a singular or plural verb with "population" is largely dependent on the context and the writer's or speaker's intention. If the intention is to emphasize the group as a single unit, a singular verb is appropriate. Conversely, if the focus is on the individuals that make up the group, a plural verb may be used.

### Examples

- Singular: "The population in this region is declining due to economic factors."
- Plural: "The population are diverse in their cultural practices and beliefs."

### Conclusion

Understanding when to use a singular or plural verb with collective nouns like "population" is a matter of interpreting the context and the intended message. It's also worth noting that different style guides may offer varying advice, and there may be regional preferences in usage. However, the general rule of thumb is to treat the noun as singular when the group is acting as a unit and as plural when the focus is on the individual members of the group.

Now, let's proceed with the translation into Chinese.

read more >>

The word population is a collective noun that can take either a singular or plural verb, depending on the intention of the author. The intention here is to indicate that this percentage represents a single group.read more >>