The majority of...

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Anonymous

#422116 Fri, 21 Sep 07 05:52 PM

I read than in most cases 'A majority of' will be followed by an 'are' and vice versa for 'The majority of'

So, is are these correct?

'The majority of them is going'

'The majority of people likes to watch TV'

I'm really unsure about 'likes' in here.

Thanks

Anonymous

Buddhaheart

#422205 Fri, 21 Sep 07 08:49 PM

'The majority (= most) of them are *is going.'

'The majority (= most) of people like *likes to watch TV.'

Buddhaheart

Joined on Sat, Jan 20 2007

Vancouver Canada

Full Member (130)

Spides

#422231 Fri, 21 Sep 07 10:27 PM

When "a" majority is used, it refers to a group of people acting as one, as in "A majority of them is going." So we are thinking of "majority" as singular--one group. When we write about "the" majority, we are thinking of a group of people acting as individuals, so we are thinking of "majority" as plural. In this case we would write, "The majority of people like to watch TV."

Spides

Joined on Fri, Sep 21 2007

Ohio

Junior Member (76)

Plurals

CalifJim

#422234 Fri, 21 Sep 07 10:29 PM

There is no difference in the agreement rules whether you use "a majority of" or "the majority of". These expressions are almost always followed by a plural noun and a plural verb, thus:

The majority of Americans believe ...
A majority of Brazilians say ...
The majority of students think ...

Once in a great while you will find these expressions followed by a singular noun and a singular verb, thus:

The majority of the population is Hispanic.
A majority of the Senate is voting for the measure.

You can't go wrong if you always make the agreement between the noun that follows majority of and the verb.

The majority of them are going.
The majority of people like to watch TV.

CJ

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (17,566)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Verbs, Singular verbs, Plurals, Nouns, Expressions, Singular nouns