Number

[konungursvia]

Originally Posted by RonBee

A think it's the marker the that makes the difference there. What do you think, Tdol?

:D

I think it's the lack of plurality of the word number. "The" is also our plural article.

[xpert]

Subject -verb-agreement

IS

[Mohammadhelmi]

The number of cars is increasing fast : singular
A number of cars are increasing fast : plural
Numbers of cars are increasing fast : plural

[Mzungu39]

In 'the number of students' number is the headword (the main word) therefore the verb is singular. We're talking about the number (of whatever...)
'a number of students' - 'students' is the headword, we're talking about students...

I hope I've helped.

[ian_k]

I know, I'm a bit late to join the poll.

The answer would be IS, because the Subject is a singular noun

This is similar to the classic trick question :

He is one of the scientists who ___ at the Institution. (work/works ?)

[๓иąķзГ]

i chose are becous stusents is plural

[earm15]

Originally Posted by nicolas

Dear All,

I chose "are".


Why do others choose "is"?
Could someone explain that for me? :wink:

The advanced area here is difficult for me :(

Have a nice day :D

Hi nicolas! Well look! In this case you use is because you are referring to the number, as you can see number is singular and is a thing. I mean.

If you were saying:

"The students ______ rising" you could use are, because you are referring to the students. But the original phrase says:

"The NUMBER of students ______ rising" so you have to use is because the sentence talks about the amount of students not about the students.

Hope this helps!
Peace!

[cloa513]

Originally Posted by Mohammadhelmi

The number of cars is increasing fast : singular
A number of cars are increasing fast : plural
Numbers of cars are increasing fast : plural

I can't say the second sentenc is right at all. I don't think you can say a number of cars- it has to be the number of cars.

[mzsade]

Pardon me, i need to make 5 posts to be able to share links so this one's essentially about nothing, much like the Seinfeld show.

[Atchan]

I chose "is" because the The number is singular.

Look to this similar sentence.
The playing of the computer games is interesting.

The number of students is rising.
The number of students are rising.

This is my special opinion.