the number of :
意为“......的数量”
eg: The number of workers is 1000.
a number of 和the number of 的辨析
(1)a number of :
意为“许多,大量”
后加可数名词复数。
作主语时,谓语动词用复数。
eg: A large number of letters are from single parents.
(大量的信来自单身父母。)
(2)the number of :
意为“......的数量”
后加可数名词复数。
作主语时,谓语动词用单数。
eg: The number of students in my class is fifity.
(我的班里有五十个学生。)