Plural verbs or Singular verbs Which is correct?

By Ranjana S.

Which is correct?

• A number of leaders are here, or
• A number of leaders is here?

 This is an instance in which the subject(number) is singular in form but the plural form is strongly conveyed that is the reason it takes a plural form.

Forms which are celebrated :)

• A number of leaders are here.
• A number of students are absent today.
• A small number of land plots are still unsold.
• A large number of your questions do not admit of answers.
• A lot of perpetrators of crimes get away.
• A lot of his followers like him, even though you don't.

But.....

The numbers of employees in the industry has dropped.

The greatest number of errors was made in the text book.

The number of inmates in this prison has decreased.

This lot of books was sold for a song.

The rule:

A number and a lot take plural verbs.

The number, this number, that number and the lot, that lot take singular verbs.