Which is correct? "majority of nations is now experiencing"

[momto4kings]

or" majority of nations are now experiencing" ?

[TechWife]

"Majority of nations is now experiencing"

Majority is a singular subject.

[Daisy]

Majority can be plural or singular. In your case it is plural and should be written "majority of nations ARE now experiencing".

 

Here's a link that explains it.

 

http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/majority.html

[bbkaren]

"Majority is experiencing..."

 

You take out the "of nations" portion and see how the sentence works.

 

You could also do what I usually do when something like this comes up and rephrase the sentence:

 

"Most nations are..."

[Orthodox6]

plural = are. You can count the number of nations. Ability to quantify with a number normally is the determining point.

 

Some articles take a different tack. I'm from "old school", and respond accordingly !

[momto4kings]

I'll go with "most nations", just be on the safe side.

 

Thanks

[WishboneDawn]

Majority can be plural or singular. In your case it is plural and should be written "majority of nations ARE now experiencing".

 

Here's a link that explains it.

 

http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/majority.html

 

:iagree:

Excellent link and it settles the matter or me.

[BabyBre]

The majority...is...

[mcconnellboys]

I agree with Daisy....

[mamajudy]

I'll go with "most nations", just be on the safe side.

 

Thanks

 

:iagree:That's the best thing to do in a case like this. If you say, "majority is," or "majority are," it will cause the reader to wonder if it is correct. Just change the wording and avoid the problem.

[Word Nerd]

Majority can be plural or singular. In your case it is plural and should be written "majority of nations ARE now experiencing".

 

Here's a link that explains it.

 

http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/majority.html

 

:iagree: In this sentence, "are" is correct.

[Mrs Mungo]

Majority can be plural or singular. In your case it is plural and should be written "majority of nations ARE now experiencing".

 

Here's a link that explains it.

 

http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/majority.html

 

:iagree:

[leeannpal]

"Majority of nations is now experiencing"

[Word Nerd]

For those who say "is" is correct, I'd be interested in seeing a citation of a source that says "majority" is always used with a singular verb. Everything I've found says that when it's followed by a plural noun, the verb should be plural as well.

 

From GrammarBook.com:

"With words that indicate portions—percent, fraction, part, majority, some, all, none, remainder, and so forth —look at the noun in your of phrase (object of the preposition) to determine whether to use a singular or plural verb. If the object of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If the object of the preposition is plural, use a plural verb."

[EKS]

Majority can be plural or singular. In your case it is plural and should be written "majority of nations ARE now experiencing".

 

Here's a link that explains it.

 

http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/majority.html

 

This is correct.