[Grammar] is/are

[tt2803]

Hello everybody,

I have a question regarding subject verb agreement. I don´t know whether I should use IS or ARE in this sentence: "Moreover, in the car park, which you intend to make available to the public, there IS or ARE an insufficient number of spaces. ?

Thank you very much in advance!

 

[Matthew Wai]

http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/singular_plural_number.htm
After reading the above, I would go for 'are'.

Not a teacher.

 

[tt2803]

http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/singular_plural_number.htm
After reading the above, I would go for 'are'.

Not a teacher.

Thank you, thank you very much. I wanted to use "are" as well but I wasn´t sure at all.

 

[Matthew Wai]

According to the same page, 'is' should be used in 'The number of spaces is not enough'.

Not a teacher.

 

[Rover_KE]

I'd say 'There is an insufficient number of spaces'.

 

[teechar]

There is an insufficient number of spaces in the car park. Correct!

There are an insufficient number of spaces in the car park. Incorrect!

There are a number of spaces in the car park. Correct!
"A number of" is just an expression meaning "several", not specifically referring to a number!
The trick is not to break up this expression by sticking an adjective in it! ;-)

 

[Polyester]

Why No.2 is not correct?

 

[Rover_KE]

Why No.2 is not correct?

Your question should be 'Why is no.2 not correct?'

'A number' is singular, and so is 'an insufficient number'.

 

[Polyester]

there IS or ARE an insufficient number of spaces.

Why does not refer to the word "spaces"?
Does the word add "s" in the end.

 

[Rover_KE]

These are correct:

There are insufficient spaces.

There is an insufficient number of spaces.

 

[Matthew Wai]

There are a small number of spaces.
There is an insufficient number of spaces.

Are they correct? Not a teacher.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I would use "is" in both.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Please forgive me for reading other sites, but some people seem to have different opinions, so might it be a moot question?

Not a teacher.

 

[Rover_KE]

You should know by now that there is not always a single, definitive answer to English grammar questions acceptable to speakers of all varieties and dialects.

 

[Tdol]

Please forgive me for reading other sites, but some people seem to have different opinions, so might it be a moot question?

Yes- I am happy with are in the first. :up: