A number of roses are vs A number of roses is

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'A number of roses are' is used when referring to the roses themselves, while 'a number of roses is' is used when referring to the quantity of roses. The choice between 'is' and 'are' depends on whether the emphasis is on the individual items or the collective quantity.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 700 views

This phrase is correct when referring to the roses themselves.

"A number of roses are"

This phrase is used when the emphasis is on the individual roses. 'Are' is the plural form of the verb 'to be' and agrees with the plural noun 'roses.'

Examples:

A number of roses are blooming in the garden.
A number of roses are red and pink.
A number of roses are being sold at the market.
A number of roses are planted in the backyard.
A number of roses are wilting in the heat.

Show examples from the web [+]

The number of complaints rose substantially during the first ten months of last year, compared to the same period in 2003.
Between 1996 and 1997, the number of complaints rose by 40 %.
In December 2000, the new school building, with 14 classrooms, was opened and the number of schoolchildren rose to 43.
Despite efforts to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, the number of deaths rose in Ireland in 1996 following a steady decrease during the previous five-year period.
The number of fatalities rose, according to some estimates, to 350000 people.
We're going to need a number of recent photographs of Rose.
The number of inquiries opened rose from 171 in 1998 to 206 in 1999, an increase of over 20%.
During the first six months of this year, the number of new inquiries rose by 32% over the same period in 1999.
Over the following weeks, however, the number of cases rose exponentially with daily totals sometimes 50 or more in number.
According to the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee between 1970 and the late 1980s the number of individual Names rose from approx 6000 to 17000 in 1979 and peaking at 32,433 in 1988.
In 2002, the total number of complaints rose to 2211, making it the first year in the history of the European Ombudsman that the total rose above 2000.
Secondly, there is no denying that the number of jobs rose by 750000 in 1997 thanks to economic growth, economic growth which is now threatened by financial crises elsewhere in the world.
Between 2005 and 2009, the budget for the EU agencies more than doubled and the number of employees rose by 65%.
However, I view with concern the fact that the number of complaints rose in comparison with 2007.Fortunately, this was by only 6%, but it should be a warning to our institutions.
In the seven years from 2003 to 2010, the total number of seizures rose from 34 million to over 110 million.
The number of employees rose steadily during the period considered resulting in a 6 % increase, in tandem with the increase in production as demonstrated in recital 292.
On the day of the match, the number of fans rose to 60000.
Last night, I received a phone call on my old private number from Rose Stagg's mobile phone.
See if the hospital human resources has a next-of-kin number for Rose.
I can give you some figures here: the European Union has 120000 sailors, including sailors of non-Community origin, whose numbers rose from 29000 in 1983 to 34500 in 2001.

Alternatives:

Several roses are
Many roses are
Numerous roses are
Plenty of roses are
Lots of roses are

This phrase is correct when referring to the quantity of roses.

"A number of roses is"

This phrase is used when the emphasis is on the quantity of roses. 'Is' is the singular form of the verb 'to be' and agrees with the singular noun 'number.'

Examples:

A number of roses is required for the bouquet.
A number of roses is a good gift for Valentine's Day.
A number of roses is too expensive for me.
A number of roses is all we need for the event.
A number of roses is growing in the garden.

Show examples from the web [+]

The number of complaints rose substantially during the first ten months of last year, compared to the same period in 2003.
Between 1996 and 1997, the number of complaints rose by 40 %.
In December 2000, the new school building, with 14 classrooms, was opened and the number of schoolchildren rose to 43.
Despite efforts to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, the number of deaths rose in Ireland in 1996 following a steady decrease during the previous five-year period.
The number of fatalities rose, according to some estimates, to 350000 people.
We're going to need a number of recent photographs of Rose.
The number of inquiries opened rose from 171 in 1998 to 206 in 1999, an increase of over 20%.
During the first six months of this year, the number of new inquiries rose by 32% over the same period in 1999.
Over the following weeks, however, the number of cases rose exponentially with daily totals sometimes 50 or more in number.
According to the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee between 1970 and the late 1980s the number of individual Names rose from approx 6000 to 17000 in 1979 and peaking at 32,433 in 1988.
In 2002, the total number of complaints rose to 2211, making it the first year in the history of the European Ombudsman that the total rose above 2000.
Secondly, there is no denying that the number of jobs rose by 750000 in 1997 thanks to economic growth, economic growth which is now threatened by financial crises elsewhere in the world.
Between 2005 and 2009, the budget for the EU agencies more than doubled and the number of employees rose by 65%.
However, I view with concern the fact that the number of complaints rose in comparison with 2007.Fortunately, this was by only 6%, but it should be a warning to our institutions.
In the seven years from 2003 to 2010, the total number of seizures rose from 34 million to over 110 million.
The number of employees rose steadily during the period considered resulting in a 6 % increase, in tandem with the increase in production as demonstrated in recital 292.
On the day of the match, the number of fans rose to 60000.
Last night, I received a phone call on my old private number from Rose Stagg's mobile phone.
See if the hospital human resources has a next-of-kin number for Rose.
I can give you some figures here: the European Union has 120000 sailors, including sailors of non-Community origin, whose numbers rose from 29000 in 1983 to 34500 in 2001.

Alternatives:

The quantity of roses is
The total number of roses is
The amount of roses is
The sum of roses is
The figure of roses is

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A number of roses are vs A number of roses is