The use of S-V

Question

Hi Team,

I am failing to understand why "is" is used for noun "additives" here which is plural?

Shouldn't it be "are"? unless i am missing something.

BharatTj · Answer

Hi Raveen7.

Rules banning cancer-causing substances from food apply to new food additives and not to natural constituents of food because their  use  as additives  is  entirely avoidable.

In the above sentence "Is" refers to singular "Use".

We are talking about the usage of substance, which would be either used as additives or not.

AndrewN · Answer

This question is discussed in detail in a dedicated thread, here. Furthermore, many responses have covered the same concern, including one response by an Expert. Please post within the thread to avoid splintering the community dialogue on the same topics or questions.

Thank you, and good luck with your studies.

- Andrew

Thank you, and good luck with your studies.

- Andrew

warrior1991 · Answer

Well look at the broader picture rather than sticking to the rule every time.

In the example :-

Rules banning cancer-causing substances from food apply to new food additives and not to natural constituents of food because their  use as additives  is entirely avoidable. 
Meaning :-
Cancer causing substances apply to new new food additives and not to natural constituents because their use as additives is entirely avoidable.

Last world 'additives' is not about additives but about the use of additivies and usage has to carry a singular verb.

Coming to when it can carry 'plural' verb.
 Example:- The fewer additives that are added to your cat's food, the healthier she will be 
In above example, you see we are using 'are' to refer to additives and that is absolutely plural in form.

I hope that helps!

The use of S-V

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