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"The Majority" or "A majority" + Plural/singular verb?????


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hii all,

 

kindly help me in getting answers to these:

 

The majority of students is/are smart.

The majority of physics students is/are smart.

 

A majority of students is/are smart.

A majority of physics students is/are smart.

 

A majority of railway commuters reads or listens to music while traveling.

The majority of railway commuters reads or listens to music while traveling.

 

IS THE USE OF VERB FORM SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE USE OF ARTICLES "A" OR "THE"...PRETTY MUCH CONFUSED

 

KINDLY HELP IN GETTING THESE SUBJECT - VERB AGREEMENT ANSWERS.

 

 

WITH REGARDS,

APOORVA

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The numerical words "majority" can be plural or singular. When they refer to a group of people they are singular. Else you need to see the context. If you are using individual parts of the totality use plural - source MGMAT

 

 

eg. The majority IS (singular) opposed to the decision

 

In the ones you cite

The majority of students is/are smart.

I would go with "are" The majority of students is plURAL

 

The majority of physics students is/are smart.

Same as above

 

 

Incorrect: The majority of railway commuters reads or listens to music while traveling.

Again it should be plural hence

 

Correct: The majority of railway commuters read or listen to music while traveling.

 

A majority of, also takes plural verb.

eg. A majority of students AGREE with ....

So in your case

A majority of students is/are smart.

 

although idiomatically, I would prefer The majority of students

 

A majority of railway commuters READ or LISTEN to music while traveling.

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  • 2 months later...

A majority of railway commuters READ or LISTEN to music while traveling.

 

That example is from Manhattan SC and their correct answer for the sentence above is actually "singular verb form":

 

A majority of railway commuters READS and LISTENS to music while traveling.

 

I do agree with Manhattan's answer, as I believe "a majority" means the totality itself.

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  • 1 month later...

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