the number of places 'is' or 'are'

[krj]

Hi
What is the answer to the following question :-

A number students want to register for the camp but the number of places
________ limited.
a) is
b) are
c) has
d) have

[risby]

Hi
What is the answer to the following question :-

A number students want to register for the camp but the number of places
________ limited.
a) is
b) are
c) has
d) have

a is correct because "the number", which is the thing that is limited, is singular.

Contrast this with different limitations for single adults, families and people with animals; now it would be "the numbers of places for these different types of visitors are limited".

[Raguilli]

a) is correct. The subject here is "the number of places", not "places"
So it's singular. The number of places "is" limited.

[krj]

thank you, guys, for your help!

[BobK]

It's worth adding that using the wrong number in the verb (pl rather than s) after 'number' is a very common mistake, even among native speakers. I've heard it, for example, on BBC radio. So don't be surprised if you meet it in real life.

b