grammar frame · formal
a number of + N + V
a number of + plural noun + plural verb — indicates several/many items/people; verb agrees with the plural noun
Examples
“A number of students have expressed interest in the optional module.”
“There were a number of factors that influenced the decision.”
“A number of respondents reported improvements in their wellbeing.”
Band 8 sentence
“A number of recent studies have suggested that urban design significantly affects residents' mental health.”
Collocations
- a number of + plural N + (have/are...)
Word family
Common mistakes
A number of students has asked for extra time.→A number of students have asked for extra time.
The number of students have increased.→The number of students has increased.
Say it for a higher band
5many→6several→7+a number of
Synonyms
several
Easily confused
the number of + N + V
“The number of applicants has decreased this year.”
Related words
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In Relative clauses
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