Common noun: When referring to a group of people sharing certain physical or cultural characteristics, "race" is a common noun.
* Example: "The human race is diverse."
Collective noun: When referring to a group of people competing in a race, "race" is a collective noun.
* Example: "The race was exciting and close."
Important Note: The term "race" is often considered problematic in discussions about human diversity, as it can reinforce harmful stereotypes and hierarchies. It's important to use alternative terms like "ethnicity" or "ancestry" when discussing cultural or biological differences between groups.