Two-thirds of the apples are/is rotten.

[angliholic]

Two-thirds of the apples are/is rotten.
Two-thirds of the apple are/is rotten.



Would you use are or is in the abvove two samples? Thanks.

[blouen]

I would say:

Two-thirds of the apples are rotten.
* Example : If we have 6 apples on the table, two-thirds of them is 4.

Two-thirds of the apple is rotten.

[Barb_D]

Use the same rule for fractions as for percents -

If it's a fraction of a plural, count noun, use are.
If it's a fraction of a singular noun, use is.
If it's a faction of a non-count noun, use is.

Half of the students were there.
Half the pizza is gone.
Half of the allotted time has been used.

[angliholic]

Originally Posted by Barb_D

Use the same rule for fractions as for percents -

If it's a fraction of a plural, count noun, use are.
If it's a fraction of a singular noun, use is.
If it's a faction of a non-count noun, use is.

Half of the students were there.
Half the pizza is gone.
Half of the allotted time has been used.

Thanks, Barb.