book, desk, sun, boy这些还是叫普通名词好。
所谓集合名词就是由两个或两个以上的个体构成的集体名词 比如:wife与husband可以构成一个family(当然还可以加上father, mother, son, daughter等等,反正家庭可由多个个体构成) 当family的意思是family member的时候,就是个体,用的是复数。
比如: The family are watching TV.这就是家庭成员在看电视。
(个体) His family is a big one.(整体) The class are listening to the teacher.(学生们)(个体) The class has made noticeable improvement. 这个班已有引人注目的进步。
(整体) 而police, people, cattle(牛群),就是几个都用复数的集合名词,可译成“……们” The police are searching for the lost boy. None 内容来自网友回答
集合的含义