In Personal pronouns, we advise pluralising most references to people. Where there are many of these, alternate plural nouns with collective nouns such as staff (↔ employees), team (↔ researchers), faculty (↔ teachers), board (↔ governors, directors), class or group
(↔ students).

Note that, although singular, these nouns take a plural verb.

Small_OK Research staff play a vital role in the laboratory.
Small_OK The class are requested to hand in their work by 1 May.

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