Collective numbers are used to present groups of people as a single unit.
The collective numbers SHOULD be used:
1. With nouns which are always plural:
двое суток - two days
четверо ножниц - four scissors
двое очков - two pairs of glasses
2. When they are used by themselves, without an accompanying noun:
Семеро одного не ждут.
Только трое из 50 пассажиров выжили.
The collective numbers MAY be used:
1. with nouns denoting male people or nouns of common gender
четверо учеников = четыре учаника - four students
трое братьев = три брата- three brothers
2. With nouns denoting animal cubs:
двое кот...ят = два котенка – two kittens
Трое щенят = три щенка– three puppies
There are not many collective numbers in Russian. The most common collective numbers are:
двое, трое, четверо, пятеро, шестеро, семеро
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