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bmwhype2
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A number of players on the team have improved since last 12 Jun 2007, 10:55
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A number of players on the team have improved since last season.

A number of players on the team has improved since last season.

Why is the first sentence correct?

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A number of players on the team have improved since last 12 Jun 2007, 11:03
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"A number of" always takes plural form whereas "the number of" always takes singular.
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A number of players on the team have improved since last 12 Jun 2007, 11:21
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lanter1
"A number of" always takes plural form whereas "the number of" always takes singular.
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not always.....example

A large number of invitations has been sent.
A small number of children are educated at home

reference: cambridge dictionary
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A number of players on the team have improved since last 12 Jun 2007, 11:45
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smartmundu
lanter1
"A number of" always takes plural form whereas "the number of" always takes singular.

not always.....example

A large number of invitations has been sent.
A small number of children are educated at home

reference: cambridge dictionary
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nice!

lanter1
"A number of" always takes plural form whereas "the number of" always takes singular.
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yea, thanks. this was in MGMAT book.
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A number of players on the team have improved since last 28 Jun 2009, 20:59
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A number of players on the team have improved since last season.

could some one explain how this sentence is correct?"number" is a collective noun and hence should be singular.Should'nt the sentence be: "A number....HAS improved.."?
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A number of players on the team have improved since last 28 Jun 2009, 21:06
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tejal777
A number of players on the team have improved since last season.

could some one explain how this sentence is correct?"number" is a collective noun and hence should be singular.Should'nt the sentence be: "A number....HAS improved.."?
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Please remember these as thumb rules

The phrase 'A number' always takes a plural verb form

The Phrase 'The number of' always takes a singular verb from

..irrespective of singular or plural subject.
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A number of players on the team have improved since last 14 Dec 2023, 02:59
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