Singular or plural (a cluster of grapes)

[Cooliegirly]

On my grammar guide it says "even the rudest intrusion is no reason for the subject and the verb to disagree." And then an example "A cluster of grapes was haning just out of the fox's reach" is followed. I wonder if I should use the singular verb form for words like "a number of", "a total of", "a group of"...

[Alan]

Hi cooliegirly,

It's aways difficult to decide because Dr Grammar asks: What is the subject and the answer is - a number is - a total is - a group is but in reality this could sound awkward and unnatural because invariably the plural word as in: a number of players - a group of spectators seems to clash with the singular verb. My advice is: go for what sounds natural. I would say: A group of spectators are leaving the stadium /a number of players want to go home because you are using these expressions to suggest more than one of the players and of the spectators.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Guy Fawkes Night for You

[Tamara]

Hi

I always confused with the 'vast majority'

The vast majority of people have…? has..?

Can I say 'A vast majority'?
'A vast majority of people is/are (?) disappointed in Microsoft.'
?
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[Jamie (K)]

[Tamara]

[Alan]

Hi Tamara,

Although what you wrote in Russian is all Greek to me, I am hoping that your 'the vast majority' expression is attracting a plural verb. After all as I have said it seems to me many times on this site, the fact that following such expressions as 'the vast majority of' there is a plural noun and the fact that it rubs noses with the next word (the verb) must cry out for it (the verb) to be in the plural too.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Phrasal Verbs/hold

[Tamara]

Yes, Alan, in this case it's better sounds with plural.
But generally... it depends...