Cassie's Perfect ... Word

Mini Grammar Lesson: Does “number of” take a plural or singular verb?

Whether the verb with “number of” expressions takes a plural verb or a singular verb depends on the article used: "the" or "a."

  
The expression the number of (with the definite article “the”) has a singular meaning and requires a singular verb.

But the expression a number of (with the indefinite article “a”) has a plural meaning and requires a plural verb.

 Examples:

The number of planes lined up for takeoff is the most I’ve ever seen.
A number of planes are lined up for takeoff.  

The number of protesters indicates dissatisfaction with the proposed legislation.
A number of protesters have indicated their dissatisfaction with the proposed legislation.

Questions?  You have my number!

Punctuating Mother's Day

Are you wondering how to spell Mother's Day, wondering if it's capitalized, wondering if there should be an apostrophe?

According to the Chicago Manual of Style, “names of secular and religious holidays or specially designated days or seasons are capitalized.”

Easy enough. That includes the day for mothers and also the day for fathers—both “specially designated days.”

 

But what about that darn apostrophe?

 

I guess it depends on if you’re talking about a day – in the possessive sense – that belongs to just one mother (mother’s) or to all mothers (mothers’). Or how about just making it a plural day for all mothers, without any possession by any of the mothers: Mothers Day.

 

For what it’s worth, the Chicago Manual says “Mother’s Day.”  My personal preference is "Mothers Day" -- a day that celebrates lot of mums, but that does not belong to anybody.

 

And the same goes for dads.