is / are

The actual subject of this sentence is "number" which is a singular noun requiring the verb "is". (in my opinion)

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Hmmm...

I agree with wandel.

There are senses.
But there is a limited number of senses.

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The standard rule for "number" is:

A number are

The number is

A number of students are going to the show.

The number of students who are going to the show is unclear.

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Re: is / are

Yoong Liat wrote:

There is /are a limited number of senses that humans have.

I'd use 'are'. Am I correct?

Many thanks.

I just noticed that there is a clearer way to write this sentence:

"Humans have a limited number of senses."

Also: some would insist on the term "human beings" rather than "humans".

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Re: is / are

wandeljw wrote:

Yoong Liat wrote:
There is /are a limited number of senses that humans have.

I'd use 'are'. Am I correct?

Many thanks.

I just noticed that there is a clearer way to write this sentence:

"Humans have a limited number of senses."

Also: some would insist on the term "human beings" rather than "humans".

Hi Wandeljw

If the sentence is rephrased, it becomes no longer difficult to decide whether to use the singular or plural verb. That the tricky part about grammar.

Following what Roberta wrote, the verb should be 'are': There are a limited number of senses that humans have.

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Cyracuz wrote:

Hmmm...

I agree with wandel.

There are senses.
But there is a limited number of senses.

Technically correct perhaps, but actually flawed imho

"A limited number" means "a few" and I would always regard it as plural.

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I Disagree an the sentence subject.

The subject is "senses" which is plural therefore - are.

We had a lengthy and at times heated dicussion over this at home.

In the sentence as given, my gut reaction was "ARE".

The number Of students going to the show is unclear.
A number of students are going to the show.

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McTag

When "there is a limited number of senses", we could also say that "the number of senses is limited".

"The number of sense are limited" doesn't sound right. "are" should be used if you are describing a quality of the senses themselves, not the number of them.

Like wandel said, the key word is "number", and regardless of the size of that number, it is never plural. Numbers are, however, but that's another story. Smile

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dadpad
the difference between the sentences you offer is "the" and "a".

In the first, you don't know the actual number so the "number" becomes an entity of it's own in that sentence, but in the second you can substitute "a number of students" with "many students". This illustrates the differene in the application of that word in those two sentences.

You could say, if context made it clear that it was studets we were talking about, that "the number going to the show is unclear". Students, in this case, is a clarification of what "number" refers to.

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When "there is a limited number of senses", we could also say that "the number of senses is limited".

I would use "are" for both these.

I wonder if we have a little AmE BrE thing going on here. Mostly because in the above sentences is "just doesnt sound right" as cryacus noted although in the opposite.

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dadpad wrote:

I wonder if we have a little AmE BrE thing going on here. Mostly because in the above sentences is "just doesnt sound right" as cryacus noted although in the opposite.

That is a good point, dadpad. I learned American English. In my opinion, American writers tend to avoid what doesn't "sound right". However, maybe the best thing to strive for is clarity of expression.

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Cyracuz wrote:

McTag

When "there is a limited number of senses", we could also say that "the number of senses is limited".

"The number of sense are limited" doesn't sound right. "are" should be used if you are describing a quality of the senses themselves, not the number of them.

Like wandel said, the key word is "number", and regardless of the size of that number, it is never plural. Numbers are, however, but that's another story.

You are painting yourself into a corner here.

I picked up a number of pingpong balls. It is all white.
The number of pingpong balls is white.

Does that sound right to you? Me neither. I repeat, when by "a number" the meaning is "a few", the verb is usually plural. Read what Roberta wrote.

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So I hope that's all sorted out in everyone's minds now.

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Hi Mc Tag

So I hope that's all sorted out in everyone's minds now.

Just to confirm: Should it be 'everyone's mind' (without 's').

Many thanks.

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A moot point, and well spotted. It shows someone is paying attention.

Smile

I think both are okay. I prefer the way I've got it, since everyone has their own mind!

Unanimity might be too much to hope for here.

Very Happy

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I have a feeling that "everyone's mind [singular]" is the right choice -- considering that everyone means "each one".

The headmaster announced that he wanted each pupil to have a clean handkerchief in his or her pocket on arrival at school every morning. He said, "I shall inspect every[one's] handkerchief".

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We don't half get ourselves tied up in knots in this forum, and the points raised in so doing are usually nothing to do with the original question.

"Everyone's mind" means (to me) "everyone's opinion", signifying unanimity or common feeling.

"Everyone's minds" means (to me) something slightly different, signifying everyone's individual brains or reasoning.

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contrex wrote:

I have a feeling that "everyone's mind [singular]" is the right choice -- considering that everyone means "each one".

"Everyone" can mean "each one", and also "all", which can be different in some cases.

imho

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McTag wrote:

"Everyone" can mean "each one", and also "all", which can be different in some cases.

imho

Check out the recent "everyone / every one" discussion.

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