The number of cars sold in 2008.

[AnaEng]

With the number, an excessive number of something, a higher/lower number of something, should we use is or are?


The following are example sentences to practice reporting Task 1 charts.

1. The number of cars sold in 2008 was higher than those of 2009.
2. A higher number of cars were sold in 2008 than in 2009.

 

[Skrej]

This is your lucky day - we have an entire article on this very question! Read this, and post back if you have additional questions.

Note that the answer does not depend on what the value of said number actually is.

 

[AnaEng]

This is your lucky day - we have an entire article on this very question! Read this, and post back if you have additional questions.

Note that the answer does not depend on what the value of said number actually is.

Thank you. I read the entire article and it is really helpful.

I wrote come example sentences. Some of them are not based on factual data. I am just practicing writing what I have learned. One thing I can not understand is when to use "the number of" or "a number of". The article doesn't state in which context should I use these phrases.


1.A huge amount of gold is sold in the UK compared to other countries.

2.A higher number of students choose history than other subjects.

3.A small percentage of people had breakfast at restaurants rather than at home in Japan from 2010 to 2015.

4.The number of male students in Kuwait who chose private schools was higher than the number who chose public schools.

5. In 2007, a small number of people consumed less meat than both the French and the Spanish.

6.The number of teachers who studied science is greater than the number who studied social studies.

7.A higher number of college students has cars now than 30 years ago.

8.The number of illegal immigrants to Europe has decreased due to strict safety procedures.

9. A higher number of students who commute to work prefer taxis rather than buses.

 

[teechar]

One thing I can not understand is when to use "the number of" or "a number of".

Think of "the number of" as an actual (known) number, and of "a number of" as a general phrase meaning some.

1.A huge amount of gold is sold in the UK compared to other countries.

OK.

2.A higher number of students choose history than other subjects.

In that sentence, "than" is wrong because it compares number of students with other subjects. Change it to "over".

3.A small percentage of people had breakfast at restaurants rather than at home in Japan from 2010 to 2015.

OK, but I'd want to see the graphic to confirm. Also, "from" suggests a very long breakfast! Use between/and instead.

4.The number of male students in Kuwait who chose private schools was higher than the number who chose public schools.

OK.

5. In 2007, a small number of people consumed less meat than both the French and the Spanish.

That doesn't work. It suggests that the French and the Spanish are not people! Change "people" to something like "people in Egypt" or "Egyptians". Also, change "than" to "than did". Otherwise, your sentence might suggest cannibalism!

6.The number of teachers who studied science is greater than the number who studied social studies.

OK.

7.A higher number of college students has cars now than 30 years ago.

I would use "have" instead of "has" in that sentence. Again, think of "a higher/greater number of" as a general phrase meaning "many".

8.The number of illegal immigrants to Europe has decreased due to strict safety procedures.

OK.

9. A higher number of students who commute to work prefer taxis rather than buses.

OK. You can also use "prefer ... to" (use "to" instead of "rather than" when using prefer).