Number

Definition

Number refers to a grammatical category that indicates the quantity of nouns, pronouns, and verbs within a sentence. It can denote singularity, representing one entity, or plurality, indicating more than one. Understanding number is crucial for ensuring agreement between subjects and verbs, as well as between nouns and their modifiers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In English, most nouns form their plural by adding '-s' or '-es', but there are many irregular plural forms, such as 'child' to 'children'.
2. Pronouns also change form based on number, with 'he' (singular) becoming 'they' (plural).
3. Certain verbs change according to the subject's number; for example, 'he runs' versus 'they run'.
4. Collective nouns can be tricky because they can take either singular or plural verbs depending on whether the group is being considered as a single unit or as individuals.
5. In compound subjects connected by 'and', the plural form is generally used, while with 'or' or 'nor', the verb agrees with the closest subject.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of number affect subject-verb agreement in sentences?
  • The concept of number is crucial for subject-verb agreement because the verb must match the subject in terms of singularity or plurality. For instance, if the subject is singular, like 'the cat', the verb should also be singular: 'The cat runs.' However, if the subject is plural, such as 'the cats', the verb changes to match: 'The cats run.' This alignment helps maintain clarity and correctness in sentence structure.
• Discuss how irregular plural forms impact the understanding of number in English grammar.
  • Irregular plural forms challenge our understanding of number because they do not follow standard rules for pluralization. For example, words like 'mouse' become 'mice', and 'person' turns into 'people'. These exceptions require learners to memorize specific forms rather than apply a general rule. This can lead to confusion when trying to ensure proper agreement in sentences since recognizing whether a noun is singular or plural is essential for accurate grammatical construction.
• Evaluate how collective nouns influence the application of number and agreement rules in writing.
  • Collective nouns complicate the application of number and agreement rules because they can be treated as either singular or plural based on context. For example, in 'The team wins', the collective noun 'team' is treated as a single unit. However, in 'The team are celebrating their victories', it emphasizes individual members within the group. Understanding how to navigate these nuances is important for effective communication in writing, as it ensures clarity regarding whether a collective noun should be paired with a singular or plural verb.

Related terms

Singular: The form of a noun or pronoun that represents one person, place, thing, or idea.

Plural: The form of a noun or pronoun that represents more than one person, place, thing, or idea.

Agreement:

The grammatical rule that requires certain parts of a sentence to match in number and sometimes in gender.