is "a total of" plural or singular?

[doltae]

A total of the students is or are.....??

[MikeNewYork]

A total of the students is or are.....??

What is that you are trying to say?

[doltae]

Which one is correct?

1) A total of the students is....?
2) A total of the students are...?

[MikeNewYork]

Which one is correct?

1) A total of the students is....?
2) A total of the students are...?

The word "total" is singular and takes a singular verb. That said, I don't know what you can follow that with and still have a meaningful sentence.

[hlbert03]

The word "total" is singular and takes a singular verb. That said, I don't know what you can follow that with and still have a meaningful sentence.

Does this mean that the sentence below is correct?

- A total of ten students is going to have a retake of the exam this coming Monday.

Or, it should be "are" instead. If this sentence uses "are", could you give me an example of a sentence that uses "total" and "is" in which "total" is the subject. Thanks.

[BobK]

Does this mean that the sentence below is correct?

- A total of ten students is going to have a retake of the exam this coming Monday.
...

Well, yes, but the opening phrase strikes me as dead wood - I'd prefer just 'ten students are...', or - if you want to emphasize the total - 'ten students altogether...'

b

[MikeNewYork]

Does this mean that the sentence below is correct?

- A total of ten students is going to have a retake of the exam this coming Monday.

Or, it should be "are" instead. If this sentence uses "are", could you give me an example of a sentence that uses "total" and "is" in which "total" is the subject. Thanks.

Yes, I would use a singular verb there. There are those, I assume, who would choose a plural verb because of "students", but that would be incorrect, IMO.

[hlbert03]

Thanks guys.

[MikeNewYork]

Thanks guys.

You're welcome.