》What would be better?《
"There are a number of different family structures that we can identify."

OR

"There is a number of different family structures that we can identify."

I came across this sentence in one English learning book (there are a number....) and I kinda got confused,because 'There is' would be better than 'There are' and in my opinion it would be also more correct.

Question

》What would be better?《
"There are a number of different family structures that we can identify."

OR

"There is a number of different family structures that we can identify."

I came across this sentence in one English learning book (there are a number....) and I kinda got confused,because 'There is' would be better than 'There are' and in my opinion it would be also more correct.

Answer

I think that "There are" is preferable.

In this context, 'a number of' does not mean a single number or digit, as in mathematics -  it is equivalent to saying 'several' or 'many', hence the plural verb.

"There are [a number of] different family structures" = "There are [several] different family structures."

Answer

If you look in the cambridge english dictionary, you see that:

In speaking and in some informal writing, is used "there’s" even when it refers to more than one. But this use could be considered incorrect in formal writing or in an examination:

There’s three other people who are still to come.

There’s lots of cars in the car park.

Answers · 2

Still haven’t found your answers?

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!