Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[nawee]

Hello,

I came across this sentence in a test. I think I understand the difference between "a number of" (+ plural verb) and "the number of (+ singular verb)", but I can't find the answer to this question. Is there something wrong with the question?

_________ English books is available on the market at present, but none is appropriate to architecture students.

a) A large number of
b) The large number of
c) A great deal of
d) A lot of

I would say:

A large number of books ARE available on the market...

OR

The large number of books THAT IS available on the market is not appropriate ...

(This second sentence sounds a bit weird, but I can't think of another way to keep IS in the sentence.)

Best regards,

Nawee

[IanT]

I agree with you.

"A large number" is technically singular, but no one normal would use a singular verb with it. "are" is a million times more natural.

Best wishes,
Ian
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