In response to pfranz's writing that " 'the number were' is just plain wrong," I contacted a grammar guru. I was fairly certain that in certain instances the word number would take a plural verb, but just wanted an authority to write about the subject.
In the meantime, I posted the definition from Merriam Webster that showed one instance in which number would take a plural verb, and maahey nailed the rule by pointing to the definite and indefinite article markers. I'll paste below my question to the guru and her response, which is pretty much identical to maahey's:
Hello.
I have a question about the word 'number.' I don't think I'm incorrect in
my thinking--but I may be. Are there times that the word 'number' would be
best followed by a plural verb? For instance, let's say there are groups of
people who behave differently upon being rained upon. Many go inside;
others seek shelter beneath tents; a good number go to the management of
the event to complain.
In that kind of instance--and other similar instances--wouldn't 'number'
take a plural verb?
Thanks for whatever clarification you may be able to provide.
Best regards,
XXXXXXXXXX
Hi XXXXXXXXXX,
As a collective noun "number" may take either a singular or a plural verb. It takes a singular verb when it is preceded by the definite article "the": The number of skilled workers is small. It takes a plural verb when preceded by the indefinite article "a": A number of the workers are unskilled. This would hold true for any beginning with "there": There are A number of ...." It also takes a plural verb when other references within the sentence are plural, such as in your example. The use of the plurals "many" and "others" (not to mention the article "a")would make "number" plural.
Linda
Linda M. DeVore
DeVore Desktop Design
Copyediting & Publishing
Ms. DeVore is a publisher of a grammar site and grammar rule of the week email.
