alkaspeltzar
Member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2006
- Member Type
- Other
- Native Language
- English
- Home Country
- United States
- Current Location
- United States
I have been wondering why in the sentence:
"A number of adults are employed".....why the verb is plural. According to definitions, isn't a number a total, sum or single thing?
Another example would be:
"One half of the people are outside".....this is the same thing, One half is one portion, so why is it treated as a plural?
Just looking for explanation since I normally do alot of math, and these words usually just refer to a quantity and are treated a single entity.
Thanks for the hlep in advance.
Kevin
"A number of adults are employed".....why the verb is plural. According to definitions, isn't a number a total, sum or single thing?
Another example would be:
"One half of the people are outside".....this is the same thing, One half is one portion, so why is it treated as a plural?
Just looking for explanation since I normally do alot of math, and these words usually just refer to a quantity and are treated a single entity.
Thanks for the hlep in advance.
Kevin