If you find the error, please explain the error and if possible a source to prove this is an error.
Thanks.
2007-01-09 07:32:29 · 8 answers · asked by CharWiz 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The sentence should read "A majority of Americans is open to changing jobs" I believe. "Majority" in this case is a singular noun representing a group ("Americans"). "Majority" can also be used as a plural noun representing several individuals, but in this case it was used as in its singular context, hence the confusion. A singular noun must have a singular verb. My source is a book called "Common Errors in English Usage" by Paul Brians-- it is invaluable!
2007-01-09 07:51:23 · answer #1 · answered by Eliza79 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The sentence mixes a singular "container" noun with a plural verb:
A majority (singular) of Americans IS open...
It can be plural or singular depending on whether the majority is taken as a whole or considered individually. Check the following link.
2007-01-09 07:52:52 · answer #2 · answered by Colin M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a complex "subject-verb agreement" issue.
Quoting from one of my books:
E. A subject that begins with "a majority of, the majority of, a minority of, or the minority of" preferably use a singular verb if the object of the preposition "of" is singular, and preferably uses a plural verb if the object of the preposition "of" is plural.
(In your case, the object is "Americans", so the subject and the verb are both preferably plural.
If you have said "A majority of the population" then the correct verb would be "is".)
I'm certain that other books may give the exact opposite advice, but I agree with the consistency of my books. They have served me well.
Other than that, you are missing the period
2007-01-09 08:27:10 · answer #3 · answered by bird_brain_88 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm a rather qualified close by speaking instructor of English. i could constantly overlook approximately 'spell checker' as that's per american English and not time-honored English spelling and grammar. Use besides the fact that version of English you're maximum comfortable with, yet be consistent and don't swop approximately interior the comparable piece of writing. that's what i propose my scholars to do. To Dorothy - definite, it does rely!
2016-12-12 07:49:45 · answer #4 · answered by motato 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably "THE majority of Americans are open to changing THEIR jobs."
Just makes it clearer really...
2007-01-09 07:42:25 · answer #5 · answered by nerdy6 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I can't help you with a source, but it should be "the majority ..."
2007-01-09 07:38:11 · answer #6 · answered by Elle B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It should be:
A majority .... is
or
The majority ... are
2007-01-09 07:44:17 · answer #7 · answered by Jeffrey P 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no period at the end.
2007-01-09 07:36:51 · answer #8 · answered by bcenterwall 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋