EN: a number of - plural determiner

[page 70]

Hello,

I can't find anywhere if we say there is a number or there are a number (of existing tools)?

Is there a rule here ?

Thank you !

 

[jann]

The rule is that in English "there is/are" must agree in number with the thing indentified. There is one tool, there are many tools.

Although the word "number" is singular, the expression "a number of" is considered to be a plural determiner. (See here, or here.)

--> There are a number of tools.

Good question!

 

[page 70]

thanks jann, most useful !