Number

[Tdol]

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.

Dear tdol,

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.

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

the number = singular
a number = plural

[silversea]

Originally Posted by dodgerfan2002

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.

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

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