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ESLBeginner Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Our numbers are growing
Hello, would you please tell me why a plural noun(numbers) is used in the following situation?
A: It's strange because when I think of Americans, I think of white people.
Q: Yeah. Caucasians are the majority in America, but Latinos will soon make up the biggest minority. Our numbers are growing.
Why it is not "Our number is growing" ?
Thank you in advance.
A: It's strange because when I think of Americans, I think of white people.
Q: Yeah. Caucasians are the majority in America, but Latinos will soon make up the biggest minority. Our numbers are growing.
Why it is not "Our number is growing" ?
Thank you in advance.
Top answer
He could be referring to many Latino communities scattered all over the US. If the population of each of these groups increases that will affect the overall Latino population.
- He could be referring to many Latino communities scattered all over the US.
- If the population of each of these groups increases that will affect the overall Latino population.
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2 Answers
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He could be referring to many Latino communities scattered all over the US. If the population of each of these groups increases that will affect the overall Latino population.
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There may not be a great benefit in worrying too much about why "numbers" is plural. Just accept it as a common idiom.
"The numbers attending church have declined recently."
"We don't see the numbers (of people) here that we used to."
"In autumn, geese arrive in huge numbers."
"The numbers attending church have declined recently."
"We don't see the numbers (of people) here that we used to."
"In autumn, geese arrive in huge numbers."
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