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BMO Posted 22 years ago
Vocabulary

Majority prefer or prefers

i found both singular and plural usages in a google search. are both acceptable?
I think it should be plural, but I don't understand why there are so many usages in singular form on the Internet.

thanks.
  

Top answer

Grammatically 'a majority' is in fact singular (the plural is 'majorities'); however, it is de facto more frequently used with plural verbs, presumably because we are usually thinking of the numbers of components-- voters or customers or whatever-- in the majority. Both acceptable. I find the same logical vagueness with 'a number of'.

— Mister Micawber

  • Grammatically 'a majority' is in fact singular (the plural is 'majorities'); however, it is de facto more frequently used with plural verbs, presumably because we are usually thinking of the numbers of components-- voters or customers or whatever-- in the majority.
  • Both acceptable.
  • I find the same logical vagueness with 'a number of'.
  • Ain't English great!
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4 Answers
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Grammatically 'a majority' is in fact singular (the plural is 'majorities'); however, it is de facto more frequently used with plural verbs, presumably because we are usually thinking of the numbers of components-- voters or customers or whatever-- in the majority. Both acceptable.

I find the same logical vagueness with 'a number of'.

Ain't English great!
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Both are acceptable and you can use both in basically the same sentence. But if you are going to use a noun before the verb you should use the singular tense, without a noun you should use plural. I know it's confusing, even for an american, just use what comes natural.
example:
The majority of voters prefer...
the majority prefers...
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'Some people like lambchops but the majority prefer/prefers beefsteak.' Which form of the verb would you choose, Rubble?
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Which is right:A majority of class prefer/prefers dress code?
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