Which of the following sentences is correct:
Princeton might argue that the number of applicants ISN'T uniform among all races.
or
Princeton might argue that the number of applicants AREN'T uniform among all races.
2007-08-24 08:33:08 · 5 answers · asked by stockmoose16 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The first one is correct. "Number" is singular. Even though you're talking about more than one applicant, the group, or pool, is considered one thing because they all share the common attribute of being applicants.
2007-08-24 08:40:44 · answer #1 · answered by lduncan00 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When in doubt, take out the words u don't need to have to figure it out. In this case u can say "...the number ??? uniform among all races" without having to say 'of applicants'. Then put in the words you're trying to decide between. In this case "the number is not (or isn't) uniform" is correct. Using "the number aren't correct" obviously is wrong when u look at it like that!
2007-08-24 16:01:23 · answer #2 · answered by elk571 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it's the first one. The subject is "the number", as in the AMOUNT of applicants, so the rest of the sentence should remain singular.
2007-08-24 15:42:22 · answer #3 · answered by evrocker22 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first is correct, because NUMBER is the subject, not applicants. If it was numbers, it would be opposite.
2007-08-24 15:42:02 · answer #4 · answered by Nurse Susan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
isn't
The subject is number... number- isn't
singular-singular
2007-08-24 15:41:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋