grammar · academic
The number of + N + who/that + V
Refers to the quantity of people/things that do something; note grammar: 'the number of' + plural noun but verb often singular ('is').
Examples
“The number of students who apply each year is increasing.”
“The number of companies that offer internships has grown.”
“The number of people who commute long distances is surprising.”
Band 8 sentence
“The number of applicants who meet the selection criteria is steadily rising, prompting universities to expand intake.”
Collocations
- the number of students who
- the number of companies that
Word family
Common mistakes
The number of students who apply are increasing.→The number of students who apply is increasing.
A number of students who applies get scholarships.→A number of students who apply get scholarships.
Say it for a higher band
5The number of students are→6The number of students who apply are→7+The number of + N + who/that + V
Synonyms
a number of + N
Easily confused
the number of vs a number of
“The number of graduates who found jobs is increasing.”
who vs that
“The number of people that commute long distances is growing.”
Related words
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In Relative clauses
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