Which one is right?

Hi Haihao,
Thank you very much for your helpful feedback.

Noren

Hi Noren,

Let me put it another way.

A NUMBER OF … = A certain number of… = many. << A or any member (x >1) of the number group {1, 2, 3, … n}
THE NUMBER OF … = This number of… << The identified member (x) of the the number group {1, 2, 3, … n}

Thanks a lot to you Haihao for your explanation. As of this day forward, I won’t bother you with such nonsense things.

Regards
NOREN LEE

PS: The same three posts got posted here, I don’t know how it happened. Anyway, a big sorry for this mess.

No problem at all, Noren! I am lerning from it and organising myself.

Under the entry number in Collins COBUILD English Usage for Learners the difference between the two phrases is made very clear.

  1. a number of
    A number of things or people means several things or people. You use a plural form of a verb after a number of.
    A number of key issues remain unsolved.
  2. the number of
    When you are talking about the number of people or things of a particular kind, you are talking about an actual number. After the number of you use a singular form of a verb.
    In the last 30years, the number of electricity consumers has risen by 50 per cent.

Hi Hmtony,
Thank you so much for your helpful explanation. I really appreciate it very much.

Regards
Noren Lee (Limbu)
NEPAL