There have/has been a large number of aftershocks.

[takashi0930]

We had an earthquake this morning. There have/has been a large number of aftershocks.

Which is correct, have or has?

 

[Trochfa]

Have.

There have been a large number of aftershocks.
There has been a single aftershock.

 

[takashi0930]

Thank you, Trochfa.
I thought so, but my American friend says it's "has" because the verb must follow "a large number," so I wanted to hear other native speakers' opinions.

 

[Trochfa]

You are weclome. It may be different in AmE, but how I wrote it is how I use it.

To me it's all to do with whether something is singular or plural. They have happened, or it has happened.

 

[takashi0930]

I see.
I'll wait for replies from American people.
In the meantime, I found a grammar book that says the plural form is correct. (It doesn't say AmE or BrE.) My friend is probably mistaken.

 

[JulianStuart]

There is/are a number of threads on this topic already
number of is are - WordReference.com Dictionary of English


there are / is a number of strategies, theses etc ?
There is / are a great number of restaurants.
there is / are a number of positives and drawbacks
There is/are a number of new shops
there is/are a number of things
There is/there are a number of students.

 

[takashi0930]

Thank you, JulianStuart. I couldn't find those threads when I searched for my phrase.

number of is are - WordReference.com Dictionary of English
Usage
2. As a collective noun, number, when preceded by a, is most often treated as a plural:A number of legislators have voiced their dissent.When preceded by the, it is usually used as a singular:The number of legislators present was small.

It says "most often". When is it NOT treated as a plural? Could anyone give me some examples?