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This depends on what feels best to you.
Technically, a 3rd person singular form should agree with this phrase, as its subject is a singular noun.
So, correct is:
A number of people has not turned up to the conference.
However, many would argue that this sounds awkward and unnatural and most people would feel that the verb actually ought to agree with the partitive object of the phrase which is, "people".
So, actual usage is:
A number of people haven't turned up to the conference.
Which option you decide is correct depends on how much you think grammar should stick to prescribed rules or reflect actual common usage.
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13 rules of subject-verb agreement with 5 example each?
rule 1:a singular subject requires a singular verb rule2:a plural subject requires a plural verb rule3:singular indefinite pronouns take singular verbs rule4:plural indefinite pronouns take plural verbs rule5:a collective noun takes a singular verb when the group it names acts as one single unit rule6:a collective noun takes a plural verb when the group it names acts individually rule7:compound subjects joined by"AND" take plural verbs.However ,when these compound subjects are considered one item or reffer to one person or thing, then it requires a singular verb rule8:compound subjects connected by or,nor,either...or and neither...nor,the verb agrees with the nearer subject. rule9:titles,amounts,and measurmaents take singular verbs rule10:plural nouns preceded by"a number of" take plural verbs rule11:plural nouns preceded by"the number of" take singular verbs
Does portion take a singular or plural verb?
The noun portion is a singular noun. The plural is portions.My portion is bigger than your portion.No, our portions are the same.The word portion is also a verb.
Compound subjects linked by or and nor take what kind of verb?
a singular or plural verb, depending on the noun closest to the verb
Is the noun scissor a singular noun?
No, the word 'scissor' is a verb, a word meaning to cut with an instrument that has two opposing blades; to move the legs in an action resembling such a two bladed instrument.The noun form is scissors, an uncountable, binary noun; a word for something made up of two parts that form the whole object.Examples of other uncountable, binary nouns are tweezers, pants, binoculars, etc.The number (singular or plural) of binary nouns are expressed using the noun counter 'pair' or 'pairs' (a pair of scissors, two pairs of scissors).
What does the phrase give him an inch and he'll take a mile mean?
The phrase give him an inch and he'll take a mile is a very popular phrase. This means that if you give him a little bit of freedom he'll take you for everything you've got.
Does coupled with take a singular or plural verb?
A phrase that uses coupled with is a modification that does not convert a singular noun into a plural noun, so if you say something such as, originality coupled with skill makes him an interesting musician, originality remains singular.
Does the word 'number' take a singular or plural verb?
As a collective noun, it can take either a singular or plural noun. If, however, it follows the definite article the, you should use a singular verb, as in The number of students taking advanced math classes has fallen over the last ten years.
Does majority take a singular or plural verb?
The pronoun most can be singular or plural. Plural: Most of the students take part in after-school activities. Singular: Most of the food was delicious. The number of the pronoun agrees with the number of the noun it refers to. Students is a plural noun and therefore most is plural in that sentence. Food is a singular noun, and so in that sentence most is singular.
Number of words ending in ics which have a plural form do they take a plural verb or singular verb?
It takes a plural verb. example, His mathematics are weak.
Is rocks singular or plural?
Plural because it has a "s." If you take off the "s'' it will become singular.
13 rules of subject-verb agreement with 5 example each?
rule 1:a singular subject requires a singular verb rule2:a plural subject requires a plural verb rule3:singular indefinite pronouns take singular verbs rule4:plural indefinite pronouns take plural verbs rule5:a collective noun takes a singular verb when the group it names acts as one single unit rule6:a collective noun takes a plural verb when the group it names acts individually rule7:compound subjects joined by"AND" take plural verbs.However ,when these compound subjects are considered one item or reffer to one person or thing, then it requires a singular verb rule8:compound subjects connected by or,nor,either...or and neither...nor,the verb agrees with the nearer subject. rule9:titles,amounts,and measurmaents take singular verbs rule10:plural nouns preceded by"a number of" take plural verbs rule11:plural nouns preceded by"the number of" take singular verbs
Does the word range take a singular or plural object?
Did you mean does it take a singular or plural noun form? If so, the answer is singular. A range of products WAS available, not WERE available.
Does the word 'there' take a singular verb?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on the number(singular or plural) of the subject.Examples:There goes the bus.There go the buses.
Is workforce plural or singular' does it take plural or singular verb?
The noun workforce is singular and takes a singular verbThe plural form is 'workforces'.Examples:The workforce at the plant is on strike. (singular)Most of the workforces of the nineteenth century were in agriculture. (plural)
Does the word 'are' take singular or plural verb?
are takes the plural form
What Takes a plural verb?
Pronouns that take a plural verb are: we, you, they, and these; and any combination of singular pronouns will take a plural verb, such as 'You and I...'.
A pronoun must agree in number with?
A pronoun must agree in number with its antecedent.A singular pronoun must take the place of a singular noun.A plural pronoun must take the place of a plural noun.
