majority as a singular or plural?
When you use majority to refer to a group of people or things as a unit or whole, use a singular verb: A majority of the Senate intends to vote "Nay." When you use majority to refer to people within a group, use a plural verb: The majority of our students live on campus, with a minority living in the surrounding neighborhoods. In that sentence, each student is under consideration; hence, the plural verb. Ensure that any pronouns referring to majority are in the same number denoted by majority. Thus, it is incorrect to say A majority of the Senate has cast their votes. Say instead A majority of the Senate has cast its vote, or, if you are speaking of the senators as individuals, say A majority of the senators have cast their votes.
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