I have 3 groups with 3 different number(s) of subjects in each one. Should I say
The number/numbers of subjects in groups 1, 2, and 3 is/are x, y, and z, respectively.
I presume that since I have 3 groups, the subject should be numbers.
-
Possible duplicate of How to know myself whether it is Idiom or not? – Daniil Dec 25 '18 at 12:51
-
@DaniilManokhin What’s the connection between that question and this one? – Alex Dec 25 '18 at 15:53
The number of is correct.
The number of is used for plural nouns and therefore is correct.
-
I know that "the number of" is followed by plural nouns and takes a "singular" verb, but my question is a situation that there is more than one number. By the way, I wonder what the question you have marked as the possible duplicate of mine has anything to do with mine! – Vahid Farajivafa Dec 25 '18 at 14:21
