talented people=talent

[LiuJing]

According to dictionaries, ''talent'' can be used as a collective noun. So in the sentence below, can we replace ''talented people'' with just ''talent''? Thank you.

The exams are designed for the company to recruit talented people.

The exams are designed for the company to recruit talent.

Thank you.

[kfredson]

According to dictionaries, ''talent'' can be used as a collective noun. So in the sentence below, can we replace ''talented people'' with just ''talent''? Thank you.

The exams are designed for the company to recruit talented people.

The exams are designed for the company to recruit talent.

Thank you.

Yes, it is clear what you mean either way.

[LiuJing]

Yes, it is clear what you mean either way.

Thank you.

How about '' recruit talents ''? Does it change the meaning?

[kfredson]

Thank you.

How about '' recruit talents ''? Does it change the meaning?

"Talent" in this context is, as you say, a collective noun. They are always singular, so far as I know. As you suggest, "talent" effectively replaces "talented people," which is already plural. It is the same with "the needy [people]" or "the poor [people].""Talents" would not make any sense to me.