more than one

more than one
Although this phrase obviously expresses a plural idea, it is followed by a verb in the singular: "More than one story about this event has been printed." The verb is singular because of its relation (attraction) to one, not more. If the phrase is divided, however, the verb becomes plural: "More stories about this event than one have been printed." The same grammatical consideration applies to the phrase "all but one": "Sue says that all but one child has been fed." "All of the fifteen children but one were fed."

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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