I want to know two different things.
1. is the word number here singular or plural..
depending on that answer..
should "is" stay or should it be changed to "are"?
2006-10-11 03:12:52 · 13 answers · asked by junglegrl44 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
It should be "are." Here's what one source says about using "number":
As a collective noun number may take either a singular or a plural verb. It takes a singular verb when it is preceded by the definite article "the": The number of skilled workers is small. It takes a plural verb when preceded by the indefinite article "a": A number of the workers are unskilled.
I'm impressed that you know that the subject of the sentence is "number," not "factors" (unlike some people answering this question). I think in this case "any" functions like the indefinite article "a" and therefore the verb should be plural.
2006-10-11 03:14:36 · answer #1 · answered by Fall Down Laughing 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Reduce the sentence to it's base structure which is- "factors is critical." This should help you when determining what form of verb to use. Since "factors" is plural and "is" should be used with a singular noun...not to mention plainly sounds wrong in this structure... it should help you to now choose the correct form which would be- "factors are critical."
2006-10-11 10:39:36 · answer #2 · answered by ariannaf1 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Without changing much of the structure of the sentence, you may write it as,"A number of factors are critical in producing a show".
2006-10-11 10:21:49 · answer #3 · answered by the_great_indian_guru 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A number of factors are critical in producing a show.
2006-10-11 10:15:12 · answer #4 · answered by mitzy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1 Irrelevant. The subject in the sentence is 'factors' not 'numbers'.
2 In order to match the subject you need to change 'is' to 'are'.
2006-10-11 10:16:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Factors which is the noun is plural so the verb should be plural!@ Change the verb from is to are!@
2006-10-11 10:15:38 · answer #6 · answered by nswblue 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
any at all times always defined as singular so still use "is" but try change the word "number" with "amount"
2006-10-11 10:15:53 · answer #7 · answered by DayDay 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Is should be changed to are, but number is singular.
2006-10-11 10:14:40 · answer #8 · answered by JT 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are many crutial factors needed for being a producer.
2006-10-11 10:17:56 · answer #9 · answered by BBQ MASTER 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
...of factors... is a preposition, so number is the subject; "is" is correct. Or you could say, Many factors are...
2006-10-11 10:26:26 · answer #10 · answered by Joy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋