a number of people are vs a number of people is

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'A number of people are' is used when referring to a plural number of people, while 'a number of people is' is used when referring to a singular number of people.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 1822 views

This phrase is correct when referring to a plural number of people.

"a number of people are"

This phrase is used when the number of people is plural. 'Are' agrees with the plural noun 'people'.

Examples:

A number of people are attending the conference.
A number of people are waiting in line.

Show examples from the web [+]

As documented by NGOs, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, a number of people are being prosecuted and imprisoned in Azerbaijan for having exercised their freedom of expression, which includes criticising the government.
In certain quarters, a number of people are, however, sceptical about this cooperation, which has been accused of being only for the richer countries in our part of the world.
A number of people are asking to speak, however, and I am going to give them the floor.
All too often a small number of people are involved in drawing up the safety report.
Due to the development of the new ARV drugs, a growing number of people are living with HIV/AIDS.
For many countries, ACP or otherwise, banana production is a crucial source of foreign currency, and a large number of people are financially dependent upon these exports.
In Nigeria a large number of people are on death row.
We're going to talk to a number of people who are busy reconstructing New Orleans.
As far as we know, Dr. Caine and a number of other people are on a planet thousands of light years away.
Burying our heads in the sand, despite the fact that a large number of people are already resorting to non-conventional medicines, would not be a responsible political attitude.
Both in Finland and elsewhere in Europe the daily lives of a huge number of people are being made difficult by discrimination in one form or another.
I am convinced that we can generate more support for these campaigns in many ways if we highlight the severe economic impacts sustained by countries where a large number of people are affected by these diseases.
A large number of people are employed in the audiovisual sector in the EEA [4].
The governor of the state of Chiapas has been removed from office, and a number of people who are suspected of being involved in the murders have been arrested.
Also, a significant number of disabled people are simply unemployed.
There are a number of colleagues who are not yet here and there are a number of people who are still listening to the bells that are ringing in the corridor.
Meanwhile a large number of people are waiting to cross the border and many have returned to Chechnya, either to the area occupied by the Russian military or to that still under control of the Chechen fighters.
We will not achieve real and lasting environmental improvements until such time as a sufficient number of people are aware of the real state of the environment and are willing to assume responsibility for it.
Today's labour market is distorted, since a large number of people are without work while at the same time those who are in work are working a great deal of overtime.
This report told us how, in fact, poverty and under-development continue to gain ground and that a huge number of people are still unable to exercise their inalienable right to live in dignity.

Alternatives:

Several people are
Many people are
A few people are
A lot of people are
Numerous people are

This phrase is correct when referring to a singular number of people.

"a number of people is"

This phrase is used when the number of people is singular. 'Is' agrees with the singular noun 'number'.

Examples:

A number of people is required for the task.
A number of people is present at the event.

Show examples from the web [+]

The situation is not as a number of people think, that is that we have a complete stalemate.
Given the significance of this directive and its impact on a large number of people, it is important for assessments to be made more regularly.
Although, until now, this has affected only a limited number of people, there is much concern about this new flu strain.
A number of people in this city want to kill me.
A number of people in this city want to kill me.
It could be a number of people...
We've interviewed a number of people, including Biba Capel.
So could a number of people, her dad included.
Dr. Harlen has treated a number of people with conversion disorder.
There are a number of people still in surgery.
So, Schultz has been extorting a number of people.
A number of people mentioned you seemed a bit nervous this morning.
A number of people have made critical comments about the nuclear programme in the Community.
Carelessness has led to the deaths of a number of people from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
I've outlived a number of people in my life, including Stefan Wach.
A number of people died during the attack on the base.
He killed a number of people.
A number of people have referred to the European Court judgment.
But a number of people have raised this matter.
Europe is traversed by a number of people-trafficking routes.

Alternatives:

One person is
A single person is
A sole person is
A solitary person is
A unique person is

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a number of people are vs a number of people is