V03-26

MGMAT says 'the majority' is singular. Why is plural used here?

Treat such words as "majority", "minority", percentages and fractions, SANAM pronouns similarly. If the noun associated with these quantity words is plural, use plural verb; If the noun associated with these quantity words is singular, use singular verb:

Majority of the students are absent.
Majority of the cake is eaten.

Half of the students are absent.
Half of the of the cake is eaten.

Some of the students are absent.
Some of the of the cake is eaten.

MGMAT says that both usages are possible. Following is an excerpt from the SC guide:

"The words majority, minority, and plurality are either singular or plural, depending on their context. If you want to indicate the many individual parts of the totality, use a plural verb. If you want to indicate the totality itself, then use a singular verb form.

The majority of the students in this class ARE hard workers.
In the Senate, the majority HAS coalesced into a unified voting block."

Dear GMATNinja VeritasKarishma bb Bunuel egmat,

majority needs to be singular? Please suggest

Thanks in advance

You don't have just "the majority". You have "the majority of patrons". This is the same as "most patrons". It will be plural. It is talking about multiple people.

The majority is in favour of ...
The majority of people are unable to ...

The question or/and solution has been revised and edited. Thank you sayantanc2k !!!

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