0
Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

majority + singular or plural

Dear teachers,

I read that:
"the number" is a singular collective noun. "The number of applicants is steadily increasing."

"A number," on the other hand, is a plural form: "There are several students in the lobby. A number (of people) are here to see the president."


What about "the majority"? Should I apply the same rule? Would you please tell me which is correct?


a) A majority of people want him to be elected.

b) The majority of people wants him to be elected.

c) The majority of judges is in your favour.
d) The majority of the judges is/are (?) in your favour.


How about:

e) The staff was relieved when the students obeyed the new rule. (collective noun?)

f) The staff have gone home. (many individuals?)



Many thanks,

Hela






  

Top answer

Hi Hela, did you try to look for some info in older threads? That's a "common" question. A/The majority of is plural.

— Kooyeen

  • Hi Hela, did you try to look for some info in older threads?
  • That's a "common" question.
  • A/The majority of is plural.
  • The majority (of people) don't know their PC might already be a zombie.
  • Here's the search:
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.

10 Answers
0
Hi Hela,
did you try to look for some info in older threads? That's a "common" question.

A/The majority of is plural.
The majority (of people) don't know their PC might already be a zombie.

Here's the search:


0
0
Hi everyone

I sometimes see someone drop the article before 'majority' like 'more than two-third majority'.

Is dropping an article fine?

LiJ
0
0
LiveinjapanHi everyone

I sometimes see someone drop the article before 'majority' like 'more than two-third majority'.

Is dropping an article fine?

LiJ

It's ok to drop the article in your sentence.
0
0
Hi,

I sometimes see someone drop the article before 'majority' like 'more than two-third majority'.

Is dropping an article fine? I can't think of a sentence where you could say this without an article. Can anyone suggest one?

It should be phrased as 'two-thirds'.
0
0
Clive
Hi,

I sometimes see someone drop the article before 'majority' like 'more than two-third majority'.

Is dropping an article fine? I can't think of a sentence where you could say this without an article. Can anyone suggest one?

It should be phrased as 'two-third
0
0
Liveinjapan
Clive
I found the words in the website which is very popular in Japan and said to be read by so many foreigners in Japan. I emailed the sysop and recieved the answer of my question. They adimitted the mistake saying 'That should be 'a two-thirds majority'. Even the cleverest person sometimes make
0
0
Yoong Liat
Liveinjapan
Clive

I found the words in the website which is very popular in Japan and said to be read by so many foreigners in Japan. I emailed the sysop and recieved the answer of my question. They adimitted the mistake saying 'That should be 'a two-thirds majority'.
0
0
The following, extracted from The Oxford School A-Z of English, is for the information of members.

The majority is most people or things. The word can be used with a singular or a plural verb: Some people are happy with the rule, but the majority wants or want it changed. Both wants and want are acceptable here. However, wants does sound rather st
0
0
Hi LiJ

By the way, is Yoong your first name? You know, we have the order of family-name-then-first-name for Japanese names, although we write the first name first when writing it in English. Is it okay to know the style in Sngapore?

Many thanks

Koh is my family name followed by Yoong Liat.
0
0
I understand. Thanks, Yoong Liat. Emotion: smile

LiJ
0

Related Questions