Number

;-)

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

'The number' is treated as a grammatically singular despite the plural noun coming after it. It is one of those tricky things that gets tested in advanced exams. ;-)

Dear tdol,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tdol

'The number' is treated as a grammatically singular despite the plural noun coming after it. It is one of those tricky things that gets tested in advanced exams. ;-)

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Thanks!
I think you're right (of course :wink: ):D

There are five students and then it becomes eight.
so we use "is".

Thanks tdol ! :D
Today I learned one more thing :D

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

:D

the number = singular
a number = plural

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dodgerfan2002

the number = singular
a number = plural

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yeah, the phrase a number of... means several or many (it depends). So it calls for a plural verb.
The number of, on the other hand, is treated as a noun phrase in which number is a noun. Hence, it needs a singular verb. ;-)

I am clever... I chose is because the number is singular and is did not refer to the noun students.;-)

Well spotted. ;-)

Quote:

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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

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You should take into consideration "the number of...." ,not the "students"
so, you have "The number of... is...