"An estimated 30% of adults were infected
with HIV virus."
"An estimated 2 million prople were infected
with HIV virus."
We know "an" is followed by a noun.
Where are the nouns in the sentences above?
An estimated thirty percent of adults...Originally Posted by sharguar
All the best, :D
But,in theses sentences:Originally Posted by Casiopea
"An estimated 2 million people were infected with HIV virus."
" By 1889 only an estimated 541 buffalo remained."
Consider the phrase 'a pair'. Notice the noun 'pair' is singular in number: 1 pair (singular); 2 pairs, 3 pairs (plural). In terms of semantics, 'pair' is not singular; It's plural: it represents two items e.g. a pair of shoes = two shoes. In terms of grammatical number, 'pair' is singular and 'pairs' is plural in number.Originally Posted by sharguar
An estimated number. (Note that, the noun 'number' is singular).
An estimated 2 million people. (Note that, the noun phrase '2 million people' is plural, but that it represents a singular noun, notably 'number')
All the best, :D