In Numbers^x, Invitations^x, Verbs^x

Hello Anon 1. One of the boxes is open. 2. A large number of invitations were/was sent out. In #1, only one box is open, so the verb is singular. In #2, some people would say "was", and some people would say "were". The "was" party would say that "a large number" was the subject...

What is the subject in this sentance, is it 'A (large) number' or 'invitations'? In the sentance: 'One of the boxes is open', the word 'one' is the subject and we make the verb agree so singular 'is'. If 'A (large) number' is the subject then wouldn't the verb need to agree, again singular 'has'?

Inchoateknowledge wrote: "depending on how I interpret" -- you mean I have the choice to adjust the verb form to the notion the subject suggests to me? and that it is a matter of taste? Invitations is the subject, thus, strictly speaking, only plural verb form is okay here. This is what I...

Dawnstorm wrote: To me, it means that, while both versions are acceptable, you'll find the latter more often on formal occasions (speeches, official publications...). It's a statement about situational appropriateness, rather than grammatical "correctness". But the effect is slight. Btw, none of...

Yoong Liat wrote: A large number of invitations has / have been sent. Should 'has' or 'have' be used? It depends on whether we want notional, or grammatical concord. http://www.bartleby.com/68/28/4128.html grammatical concord means number is singular, thus the verb has is...

YoHf wrote: Diamondrg wrote: "a number of" means "several" Several number of invitations, then? That makes no sense to me. Diamondrg has hit the nail on the head. It makes no sense because your are not substituting correctly. a number of = several. a number of...

Diamondrg wrote: "a number of" means "several" so it is not wrong. A large number of invitations has been sent to you. The subject modifiers (not the subject) are highlighted in red. number -- subject has been sent -- verb have been sent -- incorrect because there is no...

A large number of invitations have been sent to you. of invitations -- postmodifying prep phrase a large -- premodifiers of the subject number To my personal knowledge, the first finite verb of the verb phrase has to agree with the subject. number -- subject have -- the only one finite verb in...

After "a number of..." we normally use a plural verb, e.g. - "A number of questions were asked." (Unit 79 'Oxford Practice Grammar') - "A number of us are worried about it." (Page 61 Swan's 'How English Works') That site(*) you mentioned, Inchoateknowledge, in another posting gives an...

Which, do you think, is the subject in this sentence, Yong? I am asking because the verb has to be in singular/plural concord with it. A large number of invitations has / have been sent It is number and not numbers -- singular accord -- number has