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Grammarian-bot Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

Numerical expressions - singular or plural

The rule for numerical expressions is that; if they are considered collectively then a singular verb would be used otherwise a plural verb would be used.
Fifty percent of the students [has or have] been expelled.
Here the act of expelling is a collective action so i think has should be used but i want to confirm the answer.
GB
  

Top answer

To me, the use of plural (have) suggests that you have a personal involvement in the group: you are one of the students of which every second has been expelled. The singular 3rd person inflection is free of such connotations. If you ask me, in case of group noun-verb agreement, the verb form to be chosen only comes down to whether there is some personal involvement or not.

— Inchoateknowledge

  • To me, the use of plural (have) suggests that you have a personal involvement in the group: you are one of the students of which every second has been expelled.
  • The singular 3rd person inflection is free of such connotations.
  • If you ask me, in case of group noun-verb agreement, the verb form to be chosen only comes down to whether there is some personal involvement or not.
  • I have not heard of your rule.
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5 Answers
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To me, the use of plural (have) suggests that you have a personal involvement in the group: you are one of the students of which every second has been expelled. The singular 3rd person inflection is free of such connotations.
If you ask me, in case of group noun-verb agreement, the verb form to be chosen only comes down to whether there is some personal involvement or not. I have not h
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Hi ! The answer to the question lies in the sentence itself. One should always look at the object of preposition. for ex in this sentence fifty percent of the students; students is plural, so it will be followed by plural verb,which is have in this case. Further, if the objct of preposition is singular then it'll be followed by singular form of verb.
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Hi,

Yes, sorry, in the case of students, which is not a collective noun, but refers to a group, only plural verb is acceptable.
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The company are going to shed employees: you probably work there.
The company is going to shed ... : You are an outsider.
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AnonymousHi ! The answer to the question lies in the sentence itself. One should always look at the object of preposition. for ex in this sentence fifty percent of the students; students is plural, so it will be followed by plural verb,which is have in this case. Further, if the objct of preposition is singular then it'll be followed by singular form of verb.
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