Hello,

i want to know what should follow after "a number of" and "the number of" - are the following sentences correct? Kindly help and explain . thanks.

A number of people HAVE gone ....

The number of people HAS gone ....

Yes! "A number of " is always plural and "the number of" is always singular. "number" stays the same, but the article in front ("a" or "the") tells you whether it should be singular or plural.

thanks Stacey !! :D

you're welcome!

this may not be too technical, but helps me remember a number of versus the number of.

The is specific thing, hence the number...is singular. E.g. the apple means only one specific apple. A apple on the other hand is more general...could be any apple, so it is not specific, so not singular!!

Like I said, no grammar logic here, just something to help me remember the concept.

If that helps you, it might help others. Thanks for sharing.

Rey

The statement coloured above is not correct. first a apple is never correct, it should be an apple. Lets suppose "a apple" is correct. it is always singular not plural.

here the issue is "a number" or "the number". the number is singular because it means onoly one number. it only refers to either 5 or 6 or 7. so it is alweays signular.

"a number" is not specific. it means multiple numbers; so it is plural.

Stacey Koprince has clearly explained why they are singular and plural.

I jog my memory by using two simple sentences. Eg:

A number of dogs are running around outside.

The number of dogs is smaller today than it was yesterday.