There is a large number vs There are a large number

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'There is a large number' is used when referring to a singular large number, while 'There are a large number' is used when referring to multiple large numbers.

Last updated: April 13, 2024 • 828 views

There is a large number

This phrase is correct when referring to a singular large number.

Use 'there is a large number' when you are talking about one specific large number. The verb 'is' agrees with the singular noun 'number'.

Examples:

There is a large number of people waiting outside the store.

Show examples from the web [+]

Jul 31, 2013 ... 'Number' is singular. Correct usage is 'There is a large number', though many native speakers make the mistake of using 'are'.
Jan 10, 2008 ... Hello, Which is correct? 1 There is a large number of books in our library. 2 There are a large number of books in our library.
Nov 14, 2017 ... But as it is, it should be “There is a large number of people.” FTR: “there” is t. Continue Reading.
May 10, 2015 ... Show activity on this post. I'd use number instead of quantity here. I'm not a native speaker, but. There is a large number of people.
Anonymous There is a large number of students.There are a large number of students.Which one is correct and why?I think the first one.
In grammar books it says that the verb must correspond with the subject. So I think it must be "There is a large number of people..."

Alternatives:

There is a significant number
There is a considerable number
There is a substantial number
There is a vast number
There is a huge number

There are a large number

This phrase is correct when referring to multiple large numbers.

Use 'there are a large number' when you are talking about multiple large numbers. The verb 'are' agrees with the plural noun 'numbers'.

Examples:

There are a large number of books on the shelf.

Show examples from the web [+]

Jul 31, 2013 ... There are a large number of proverbs/idioms in English (and doubtless additional ones in American). Some are entirely regional and if you don't ...
Nov 14, 2017 ... Correct: There are a large number of people. End of story. . Can't fall asleep yet? This should do it . . . Let's look at the issues at hand ...
Jan 10, 2008 ... 2 There are a large number of books in our library. Many, many thanks. Gilbert. 1/10/085:55 AM.
There are a large number of people in America. And here is one for the first example. Google is a large number.
There are a large number of cases, which, though they are quite painful and severe, yet do not always put an energetic man in bed; and, as he.
There are a large number of students. Plural are is correct. "Number" in this sense is known as a quantificational noun. It's rather special in ...
There are a large number... https://www.nytimes.com/1865/11/23/archives/cheap-livingthere-are-a-large-number.html. Give this articleGive this articleGive ...
There are a large number of cells available, each marked (6 V,0.5Ω) to be used to supply current to a device of resistance 0.75Ω, requiring 24A current. How ...

Alternatives:

There are numerous
There are many
There are plenty
There are a multitude
There are a plethora

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