Grammar help? should it be "there are a number of books" or "there is a number of

Question

should it be "there are a number of books" or "there is a number of books"?

Thanks,

Answer 1

There is a number of books as the sentence is in collective form ('number')

:)

Answer 2

I think it could Go either way

Answer 3

are

Answer 4

There are a number of books.

'The number' is singular collective noun and 'A number' is a plural. Eg. the number of games 'is' increasing.

There 'are' a number of games.

collective nouns can be either singular or plural, depending on context.

When a unit acts in unison then it becomes singular whereas when the different members of the unit act differently then it becomes plural. Eg- the jury took a unanimous decision.Jury is singular here so the verb is"took".

Jury disagree on the guilt of the accused and cannot reach a unanimous decision. Jury is plural here so the verb is" disagree" instead of 'disagrees.'

Answer 5

While "there is..." sounds strange, it is correct.

You can avoid any question completely by rephrasing it as:

"there are quite a few books..."  :=)