A number of / the number of
A declining number of newborns was exceeded by a growing number of deaths, according to census date released by the government.
As far as I know, a number of ~ are / the number of ~ is. I am of the opinion that the sentence should be: 1. The declining number of newborns was exceeded by the growing number of deaths. 2. A declining number of newborns were exceeded by a growing number of deaths. Was I wrong?
Top answer
anonymous Was I wrong? Yes. Here is the pattern.
- anonymous Was I wrong?
- Yes.
- Here is the pattern.
- 1.
- "Number" is a statistic, a count.
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anonymousWas I wrong?
Yes. Here is the pattern.
1. "Number" is a statistic, a count. Number is a singular noun. The determiners "the" or "a" does not change that.
The declining number of newborns was exceeded by the growing number of deaths.
A declining number of newborns was recorded each year between 1942 and 1945.
2.
0anonymous–A declining number of newborns was exceeded by a growing number of deaths, according to census date released by the government.
As far as I know, a number of ~ are / the number of ~ is. I am of the opinion that the sentence should be: 1. The declining number of newborns was exceeded by the growing number of deaths. 2. A decli
0
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