''Majority of Moroccans are Arabs.'' ''Majority of Moroccans is Arabs.''

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Jackson6612  #363796  Sat, 12 May 07 09:36 AM

Which of the following sentences is correct?

1: Majority of Moroccans are Arabs.

2: Majority of Moroccans is Arabs.

I guess both are correct.

  
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nona the brit  #363798  Sat, 12 May 07 09:37 AM

No.

The majority of Moroccans are Arabs.

  
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Jackson6612  #363804  Sat, 12 May 07 09:51 AM
 Nona The Brit wrote:

No.

The majority of Moroccans are Arabs.

Nona, thank you for your help. Suggestions are still welcome.

Best wishes, Jackson

  
Maya2  #363818  Sat, 12 May 07 10:26 AM

Nona is right

Majority has plural value

  
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Selecter  #363850  Sat, 12 May 07 01:03 PM
 Maya2 wrote:

Nona is right

Majority has plural value



It's not always true.
A/The majority of + plural noun = plural verb (are)
The majority of + uncountable noun = singular verb (is)
  
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nona the brit  #363862  Sat, 12 May 07 01:25 PM

i.e.

The majority of chairs are made of wood.

The majority of sugar is white.

  
Clive  #363905  Sat, 12 May 07 03:54 PM

Hi guys,

The majority of + uncountable noun = singular verb (is)

This structure is somewhat controversial. My dictionary comments that 'Some people feel that majority in this sense should only be used with countable nouns', although it goes on to recognize that we often in fact say things like 'the majority of the work'.

If you want to avoid this issue, you could say 'most of the work', 'most of the sugar'.

Best wishes, Clive

  
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Maya2  #363908  Sat, 12 May 07 03:59 PM
 Selecter wrote:
 Maya2 wrote:

Nona is right

Majority has plural value



It's not always true.
A/The majority of + plural noun = plural verb (are)
The majority of + uncountable noun = singular verb (is)

Moroccan is a countable noun

The majority of + uncountable noun = singular verb -- I was not referring to these cases, Selecter.

 

Best wishes,

Maya

  
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