The young + "is" or "are"
Butterflies, moths, beetles, flies and bees have complete metamorphosis. The young (called a larva instead of a nymph) is very different from the adults. It also usually eats different types of food.
(Source: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University https://ansp.org/exhibits/online-exhibits/butterflies/lifecycle/)
Why in the sentence above, "the young" is followed by "is", not "are"? I wonder because as far as I know "the + adjective" is a plural noun. Have I understood this wrongly? Please explain it to me.
Top answer
zero to hero Why in the sentence above, "the young" is followed by "is", not "are"? If you omitted the parenthetical expression, it would be. Butterflies, moths, beetles, flies and bees have complete metamorphosis.
- zero to hero Why in the sentence above, "the young" is followed by "is", not "are"?
- If you omitted the parenthetical expression, it would be.
- Butterflies, moths, beetles, flies and bees have complete metamorphosis.
- The young are very different from the adults.
- They also usually eat different types of food.
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zero to heroWhy in the sentence above, "the young" is followed by "is", not "are"?
If you omitted the parenthetical expression, it would be.
Butterflies, moths, beetles, flies and bees have complete metamorphosis. The young are very different from the adults. They also usually eat different types of food.
The parenthetical exp
0zero to heroPlease explain it to me.
It is a mistake, and not the only one on that page. Nobody thinks they need an editor. Not only should "the young" be plural, if it is singular, then it is not parallel with "adults". One way to correct the problems is "Butterflies, moths, beetles, flies and bees have complete metamorphosis. Their young form (called a la
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