Here's why:
* It refers to a group: "Friends" represents a collection of individuals who share a close relationship.
* It acts as a singular unit: You can treat "friends" as a single entity, like "My friends are coming over."
However, it's important to note that "friends" can also function as a plural noun. This depends on the context:
* Plural: "My friends are all going to the party." Here, "friends" refers to multiple individuals.
So, while "friends" is typically a collective noun, it can sometimes act as a plural noun depending on the sentence's meaning.