0
PrinnySquad Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

90% percent of the class is...

Hello everybody,
Is this sentence "90% of the class is under 18." correct?
Should I use "is" or "are" and what is the general rule?

Thank you,
PrinnySquad
  

Top answer

In your sentence, I would use "is". The usage note below is from the American Heritage dictionary: British English does vary from American English on the use of plurals with nouns representing groups of individuals. Percent can take a singular or plural verb, depending on how the quantity being described is viewed.

— AlpheccaStars

  • In your sentence, I would use "is".
  • The usage note below is from the American Heritage dictionary: British English does vary from American English on the use of plurals with nouns representing groups of individuals.
  • Percent can take a singular or plural verb, depending on how the quantity being described is viewed.
  • Very often what determines the form of the verb is the noun nearest to it.
  • Thus one might say Eighty percent of the legislators are going to vote against the bill or Eighty percent of the legislature is set to vote the bill down.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0
In your sentence, I would use "is".
The usage note below is from the American Heritage dictionary: British English does vary from American English on the use of plurals with nouns representing groups of individuals.
Percent can take a singular or plural verb, depending on how the quantity being described is viewed. Very often what determines the form of the verb is the noun ne
0

Related Questions