Comments on: Is “Number” Singular or Plural? http://www.dailywritingtips.com/is-number-singular-or-plural/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:00:10 -0600 hourly 1 By: hanan http://www.dailywritingtips.com/is-number-singular-or-plural/comment-page-1/#comment-182286 hanan Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:19:59 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=2495#comment-182286 Hi, Could anyone help me in this: "What was the cause of all this? Was it the fire? Was it the water baloons?" Is it correct to say "was it the water baloons"? Hi,
Could anyone help me in this:
“What was the cause of all this? Was it the fire? Was it the water baloons?”
Is it correct to say “was it the water baloons”?

]]> By: Mark W http://www.dailywritingtips.com/is-number-singular-or-plural/comment-page-1/#comment-170698 Mark W Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:08:42 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=2495#comment-170698 My son is driving me crazy!!!! He consistently says " I need to do a few stuff. " I reply that he should properly say " I need to do a few things " or " I need to do some stuff ". I know my options are fine, but my question is whether his version is also proper. Please help us !! My son is driving me crazy!!!! He consistently says ” I need to do a few stuff. ” I reply that he should properly say ” I need to do a few things ” or ” I need to do some stuff “. I know my options are fine, but my question is whether his version is also proper. Please help us !!

]]> By: Cassie Tuttle http://www.dailywritingtips.com/is-number-singular-or-plural/comment-page-1/#comment-151316 Cassie Tuttle Sun, 19 Jul 2009 02:13:46 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=2495#comment-151316 k_anish: Your teacher is correct. "Stuffs" (used as a noun) is not a word. ~~~~~~~~~~ Further explanation on whether "number" takes a plural or singular verb: "<b>The</b> number of" is a singular collective noun and requires a singular verb. <i>"The number of unemployed U.S. workers <b>is</b> steadily increasing."</i> "<b>A</b> number of," on the other hand, is a plural form and therefore takes the plural verb form. <i>"A number of unemployed U.S. workers <b>are</b> beginning to feel the crunch."</i> Note: I'm adding this to reinforce the rule for myself as well as for other readers. :-) k_anish: Your teacher is correct. “Stuffs” (used as a noun) is not a word.
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Further explanation on whether “number” takes a plural or singular verb:

“The number of” is a singular collective noun and requires a singular verb.
“The number of unemployed U.S. workers is steadily increasing.”

“A number of,” on the other hand, is a plural form and therefore takes the plural verb form.
“A number of unemployed U.S. workers are beginning to feel the crunch.”

Note: I’m adding this to reinforce the rule for myself as well as for other readers. :-)

]]> By: k_anish http://www.dailywritingtips.com/is-number-singular-or-plural/comment-page-1/#comment-146766 k_anish Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:32:58 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=2495#comment-146766 I often hear people say Stuffs. But one of my teachers told me, there's no "s" in stuff.. it's plural already. So which one is true.. stuffs or stuff I often hear people say Stuffs. But one of my teachers told me, there’s no “s” in stuff.. it’s plural already. So which one is true.. stuffs or stuff

]]> By: Maeve http://www.dailywritingtips.com/is-number-singular-or-plural/comment-page-1/#comment-142406 Maeve Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:10:28 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/?p=2495#comment-142406 PreciseEdit, Thanks for this useful addendum. PreciseEdit,
Thanks for this useful addendum.

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