Number

[Tdol]

[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

[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.

[nicolas]

Dear 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.

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

[RonBee]

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

:D

[dodgerfan2002]

the number = singular
a number = plural

[silversea]

the number = singular
a number = plural

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.

[Latoof]

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

[Tdol]

Well spotted.

[sheena55ro]

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

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