Subject Verb Agreement Rules a Number the Number

Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical rule that is often overlooked, causing confusion and ambiguity in writing. One of the common stumbling blocks is how to handle subject-verb agreement when it comes to “a number” and “the number.” Let’s take a closer look at these constructions and explore the rules surrounding subject-verb agreement.

When using the phrase “a number,” it is considered to be a singular subject. The verb that follows should match the singular form of the subject. For example:

– A number of children is playing in the park.

– A number of books has been returned to the library.

In the above examples, “a number” is treated as a singular noun, and the verb “is” and “has” is used accordingly.

On the other hand, when we use the definite article “the” before the word “number,” it becomes a singular noun, and the verb that follows should also match the singular form of the subject. Here are some examples:

– The number of applicants is increasing every year.

– The number of cars on the road is causing traffic congestion.

In each of these examples, “the number” is considered a singular noun, and the verb “is” is used to match the subject.

However, when we use “the number” followed by a plural noun, the verb form changes to a plural. Here are a few examples:

– The number of students in the classroom has decreased, but the number of teachers has increased.

– The number of new products available is growing, but the number of customers is falling.

In these sentences, “the number” is still the singular subject, but the verb form changes to match the plural noun that follows.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of good writing, and understanding how to handle “a number” and “the number” will help clarify the meaning of your writing. Remember that “a number” is treated as a singular subject, while “the number” changes according to the following word`s grammatical number. Paying attention to these rules will help ensure your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct.