What is the correct usage of 'is' or 'are' with collective nouns?

The correct usage of 'is' with collective nouns reflects how collective nouns can be treated as singular entities. When a collective noun represents a single unit or a single entity, 'is' is used. For instance, when referring to a group like "the team," one would say, "The team is winning," because the team is viewed as one cohesive unit.

However, it’s important to note that collective nouns can take on plural verbs (like 'are') when the focus is on the individual members within the group. But in many instances, especially in American English, collective nouns are regarded as singular, and therefore 'is' becomes the appropriate choice when emphasizing unity or a single action performed by the group.

Thus, in contexts where the collective noun refers to the group as a single entity, 'is' is indeed the correct verb to use.