Question
Updated on
4 Dec 2022
- Simplified Chinese (China)
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English (US)
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English (UK)
Question about English (US)
What is the difference between the number of and a number of ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
What is the difference between the number of and a number of ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
Could you please explain the meaning of each?
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4 Dec 2022
Featured answer
- English (UK)
- English (US)
The number of shirts on the rack is 24 = 24 is the exact number of shirts on the rack
What is the number of books on the shelf? = What is the exact number of books on the shelf?
—“The number of” refers to a plural noun + a singular verb: shirts + is; books + is
A number of shirts are on the rack = There are several/some/a few/many shirts on the rack.
A number of cookies are left in the jar = There are several/some/a few/many cookies left in the jar.
—“A number of” refers to a plural noun + plural verb: shirts + are; cookies + are
Many or few?
https://editorproof.net/how-many-are-a-number-of/
Highly-rated answerer
Read more comments
- English (US)
Generally
"The number of" = "the amount of" (a specific quantity)
"A number of" = "some," "several," "a few" (a non-specific quantity)
- English (UK)
- English (US)
The number of shirts on the rack is 24 = 24 is the exact number of shirts on the rack
What is the number of books on the shelf? = What is the exact number of books on the shelf?
—“The number of” refers to a plural noun + a singular verb: shirts + is; books + is
A number of shirts are on the rack = There are several/some/a few/many shirts on the rack.
A number of cookies are left in the jar = There are several/some/a few/many cookies left in the jar.
—“A number of” refers to a plural noun + plural verb: shirts + are; cookies + are
Many or few?
https://editorproof.net/how-many-are-a-number-of/
Highly-rated answerer
- Simplified Chinese (China)
@ladybug I quite appreciated your clear and detailed explanation that helped a lot! The link is very helpful, too!
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