English Grammar
NUMBER with 'a' or 'the'
The difference explained with examples.
‘The number of’… is followed by a
singular verb.
When we use 'the number' we refer to a specific number.
The number of seats reserved is
150.
‘A number of’… is used with a
plural verb.
When we use 'a number of' we mean 'several' or 'more than one', so a plural verb is used.
Example: A number of passengers were injured.
| EXAMPLES: |
| The number of online customers is increasing. |
| A number of customers are complaining about slow delivery. |
| The number of passengers is limited to 50. |
| A number of people are waiting for the bus. |
| The number of contaminations is increasing. |
| A number of those contaminated are in intensive care. |
| The number of road accidents is causing great concern. |
| A (large) number of accidents are due to careless driving. |
| The number of guests at the wedding was quite small. |
| A number of guests were wearing very stylish clothes. |
| The number of employees needed is fifteen. |
| A number of candidates were successful. |
| The number of those who were successful is 37. |
| A (surprising) number of candidates have applied. |
| The number of unemployed people is causing alarm |
| A number of social problems are caused by unemployment. |
| The number of people allowed into the museum is limited. |
| A number of people were refused entry into the museum. |
| There are a number of new recruits this year. |
| Here is the number of those who were recruited this year. |
| There are a number of different options to choose from. |
| The number of options proposed is considerable. |