Singular or plural

Mister MicawberThe vast majority of gene variants result...

Thanks, teacher. I was confused because I thought that 'results' could refer to 'majority'. So why does it refer to variants and not majority? Is there an explanation for that, maybe, so that I can know for future?

'A majority of' is perhaps a quantifier like 'a number of', but in any case it is notionally like 'most', while proximal concord is with the plural complement 'variants'.

Mister Micawber majority of' is perhaps a quantifier like 'a number of', but in any case it is notionally like 'most'

Do you mean because it acts like 'most' or 'a number of' so it would also take a plural?

But I thought that the plural result is chosen because of the plural 'variants'. Why is it decided upon 'variants', which is

Mister Micawber proximal concord is with the plural complement 'variants'.

Mister MicawberMister Micawber proximal concord is with the plural complement 'variants'.

What does that mean. Does it mean that the agreement (due to the proximal concord) with 'a majority' and the plural 'variants' confirms that it should take the plural (result)?

'Proximal' means 'nearby': the plural 'variants' is near the plural verb 'result'.

Mister Micawber'Proximal' means 'nearby': the plural 'variants' is near the plural verb 'result'.

Oh I see. I thought that you meant by 'proximal concord' that 'variants' is near 'a majority of'!!

So is it always the last word that determines whether to use a plural or singular when the last word in structure with an 'of like' form such as 'A majority

AnonymousSo is it always the last word that determines whether to use a plural or singular when the last word in structure with an 'of like' form such as 'A majority of ....'?

In those structures that are syntactically similar, yes. 'Majority', of course, does not work with singular or uncountable nouns. Note that certainly not all 'of' phrases work this way

Mister MicawberNote that certainly not all 'of' phrases work this way.A number of people are coming.The number of people has increased.

I see. So there are exceptions, and it basically depends on the sentence. Right?