The family are discussing about the plan. (In this sentence, the family is used to represent the words of the family members, for that, the family word is no longer considered as a whole unit, but rather the involvement of its members in the discussion.).The family is planning an overseas trip. (In this sentence, the family word is considered as a whole unit, so the verb used is a singular verb is.).Collective Nouns if considered as a whole unit, then the verb used is singular. If it is seen separately from each member, it is no longer considered as a whole unit, then the verb used is plural. Consider the following brief example to clarify understanding of the relationship of Collective Nouns with Singular and Plural verbs:
