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The question about the correct use of there is vs there are pops up quite often.

However I couldn't find any reference to a case similar to the one below. My wife is writing a crochet pattern with the following sentence:

Count the stitches all around - make sure there is an odd number of stitches.

Word's grammar correction tool suggests: make sure there are an odd number of stitches.

I myself find the "there are" version more pleasing to the ear. However I think my wife is correct in stating that the subject should be considered to be odd number of stitches and not just stitches.

Which is correct?

Sebastian Cabot
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  • Thanks, this is what I was looking for. Should it be marked as duplicate though. You are right that both in a way refer to the same question but it may be misleading to readers. I am new on this list so I will mark it as duplicate if you suggest so. – Sebastian Cabot Jul 14 '16 at 20:53
  • It's essentially to do with whether 'a number of' takes a singular or plural verb-form, not 'there is / are'; this has been answered before. Other members will hopefully close-vote accordingly. Don't worry about missing the odd duplicate; there are a lot of questions on ELU. – Edwin Ashworth Jul 14 '16 at 20:59

1 Answers1

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The noun "number" by itself is singular, e.g., The number on his jersey is 88. However, the phrase "a number of" calls for a plural verb, e.g., A number of protesters were arrested.

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/is-number-singular-or-plural/