Singular or Plural

[sanjaylakhani]

Hi,

I know this question has been repeated often but could not find the thread..

1)"The majority of the voters LIVE in the city"
2)Your essays should be thousand words or less

first of all i read on the forum that use of "a" or "the" determines the singularity or plurality. Use of "THE" indicated singularity while use of "A" indicates plurality.

"A majority of students" Vs " The majority of students"

If the above is true,how do you justify statement 1.

in statement 2 - words are countable- shouldn't we use fewer instead of less


Pls clarify

[Misha]

The number - singular
A number - plural

The majority of students - verb takes on case of 'students', i.e. plural essentially, instead of 'The'. Same with 'A'.

[esledge]

first of all i read on the forum that use of "a" or "the" determines the singularity or plurality. Use of "THE" indicated singularity while use of "A" indicates plurality.

"A majority of students" Vs " The majority of students"

Yes, I created that confusion (sorry!), so I'll clear it up here as well.

On their own, "a majority" is typically plural and "the majority" is typically singular.
Of this year's graduating class, a majority will attend college. (plural)
The majority rules. (singular)

However, when "majority" is followed by a modifier, usually of the form "of things," that rule of thumb does not apply.
In such a case, the "of things" dictates the verb number--plural!

One exception: "the majority" may require a plural verb even when not followed by an "of things" IF an "of things" is implied earlier in the sentence.
The customers of Ye Olde Ice Cream Shoppe have voted, and the majority prefer waffle cones.
(It is implied that "the majority of customers prefer...."

In summary:
a majority" by itself-->plural
"the majority" by itself--> usually singular, unless an "of things" modifier is implied earlier in the sentence.
""the/a majority of things"-->plural, like the things

2)Your essays should be thousand words or less

in statement 2 - words are countable- shouldn't we use fewer instead of less

Yes, it should be "Your essays should be 1000 words or fewer."