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Hamza Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

Right construction

Which is the correct construction?

A number of people like ice-cream.

A number of people likes ice-cream.

I was confused because if we are talking about number than it should be likes.. Right???
  

Top answer

Hi Hamza 'A number of' means the same thing as 'a few' or 'several', and you need to use the plural form of the verb: A number of people like ice-cream. Even if ' of people ' is omitted from (but understood in) the sentence, you would still use the plural form of the verb: A number like ice-cream. view=uk for you.

— Yankee

  • Hi Hamza 'A number of' means the same thing as 'a few' or 'several', and you need to use the plural form of the verb: A number of people like ice-cream.
  • Even if ' of people ' is omitted from (but understood in) the sentence, you would still use the plural form of the verb: A number like ice-cream.
  • view=uk for you.
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2 Answers
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Hi Hamza

'A number of' means the same thing as 'a few' or 'several', and you need to use the plural form of the verb:
A number of people like ice-cream.

Even if 'of people' is omitted from (but understood in) the sentence, you would still use the plural form of the verb:
A number like ice-cream.

Here is an additional
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HamzaWhich is the correct construction?

A number of people like ice-cream.

A number of people likes ice-cream.

I was confused because if we are talking about number than it should be likes.. Right???
Use a plural verb after "A number of ... "
Use a singular verb after "
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