English grammar
Agreement: a number of… have, the number of… is
Make the verb agree after a number of, the number of, one of those who and more than one.
From the scene A number of residents
In short
A number of + plural verb (several); the number of + singular verb (the figure). More than one person is.
Your turn
Which one goes with the figure: singular verb?
Options: the number of lifts stays at zero · the number of complaints is growing · a number of residents have voted
Show answer
the figure: singular verb → the number of complaints is growing
How it works
A number of means several, so the verb is plural: a number of residents have voted.
Good to know
The number of is about the figure itself, so the verb is singular: the number of complaints is growing.
Good to know
In one of those who complain, the verb agrees with those, so careful style makes it plural.
Good to know
More than one + a singular noun takes a singular verb: more than one person is.
several: plural verb a number of residents have voted
Nuria
"A number of" means "several": plural. A number of residents have voted.
«A number of» significa «varios»: plural. «A number of residents have voted.»
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"A number of" means "several": plural. (blank).
Options: The number of lifts stays at zero · A number of residents have voted · The number of complaints is growing
Show answer
Nuria
"A number of" means "several": plural. A number of residents have voted.
«A number of» significa «varios»: plural. «A number of residents have voted.»
the figure: singular verb the number of complaints is growing
Nuria
Here: "the number of complaints is growing". Singular, even if there are lots.
Aquí: «the number of complaints is growing». Singular, aunque sean muchas.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Here: "(blank)". Singular, even if there are lots.
Options: the number of complaints is growing · a number of residents have voted · the number of lifts stays at zero
Show answer
Nuria
Here: "the number of complaints is growing". Singular, even if there are lots.
Aquí: «the number of complaints is growing». Singular, aunque sean muchas.
the figure: singular verb the number of lifts stays at zero
Ramón
Singular, plural, I don't care! The number of lifts stays at zero!
¡Singular, plural, me da igual! ¡El número de ascensores sigue en cero!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Singular, plural, I don't care! (blank)!
Options: A number of residents have voted · The number of complaints is growing · The number of lifts stays at zero
Show answer
Ramón
Singular, plural, I don't care! The number of lifts stays at zero!
¡Singular, plural, me da igual! ¡El número de ascensores sigue en cero!
agrees with those one of those who always complain
Your turn
What goes with one of those who always complain?
Options: agrees with those · several: plural verb · the figure: singular verb
Show answer
one of those who always complain → agrees with those
singular, despite the meaning more than one person is going to
Ramón
Well, more than one person is going to end up without a newsletter.
Pues más de uno se va a quedar sin boletín.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Well, (blank) end up without a newsletter.
Options: the number of complaints is growing · more than one person is going to · a number of residents have voted
Show answer
Ramón
Well, more than one person is going to end up without a newsletter.
Pues más de uno se va a quedar sin boletín.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| several: plural verb | a number of residents have voted |
|---|---|
| the figure: singular verb | the number of complaints is growing |
| the figure: singular verb | the number of lifts stays at zero |
| agrees with those | one of those who always complain |
| singular, despite the meaning | more than one person is going to |
More lines from the story
- Elena"A number of residents has voted in favour of the lift."«Varios vecinos ha votado (con un error: “has”) a favor del ascensor.»
- Elena"The number of complaints about the landlord are growing."«El número de quejas sobre el casero están creciendo.» (con un error: “are”)