2007-01-03 03:13:22 · 15 answers · asked by CharWiz 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
Is it "IS" or "ARE"? Why?
2007-01-03 03:14:58 · update #1
I was just trying to see if Americans know how to speak their language, but it seems they don't. I am not a native speaker of English. The correct form of this sentence is "IS" since the noun in the sentence is "MAJORITY".
2007-01-03 04:05:03 · update #2
No. It should be: "A majority of Americans is open to changing jobs this year"
The reason is that majority is the subject and it needs a singular verb.
A is ok and so is The.
2007-01-03 03:16:11 · answer #1 · answered by ignoramus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The majority of Americans is open to changing jobs this year.
2007-01-03 03:18:31 · answer #2 · answered by mageta8 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would change it to "*The* majority of Americans are open to changing jobs this year."
2007-01-03 03:15:46 · answer #3 · answered by poohb2878 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a highly qualified native speaking teacher of English. I would always ignore 'spell checker' as it is based on american English and not standard English spelling and grammar. Use whatever version of English you are most comfortable with, but be consistent and do not swop about within the same piece of writing. That's what I advise my students to do. To Dorothy - Yes, it does matter!
2016-05-22 22:53:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Majority is a collective noun, so it must agree with the noun nearest it. In this case, that would be the plural noun in the adjective phrase, " Americans". That plural noun must agree with its plural verb... are. You made a total fool of yourself, didn't you. I hope you never try to take the American SAT.
2007-01-03 07:08:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Majority seems to be grouping the Americans into one unit, it's proper to say a majority of Americans "ARE"...
But it is proper to say the majority of americans is...
2007-01-03 03:18:42 · answer #6 · answered by Niks 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use "are" as it stands next to the word "Americans" and thus the rule of proximity holds. (a vague rule that kicks in once in awhile). However, I think that the adjective "open" is not a good one here, as it implies that changing jobs is something that happens to people passively. You might say that they would consider changing jobs.
2007-01-03 03:18:02 · answer #7 · answered by domangelo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to match the verb with the noun, which is majority, so use "is".
As another suggestion, I would say "The majority..."
2007-01-03 03:16:07 · answer #8 · answered by Amanda 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the majority of americans is
or
A majority of americans are
2007-01-03 03:59:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually it should be "...majority of U.S. citizens is open to changing..." since the term American applies to 95% of the western hemisphere population
2007-01-03 03:23:40 · answer #10 · answered by Super G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋