If I have multiple loaves of bread on the table, and I'm referring to all of them, which usage of the verb "need" is correct?
The bread need to be put in the fridge.
The bread needs to be put in the fridge.
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Youssef, take a look at English Language Learners SE. It has a lot to offer. – aparente001 Sep 20 '19 at 22:25
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You don’t need to put bread in the fridge, and it will make it go soggy. – David Sep 21 '19 at 21:57
2 Answers
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A mass noun like "bread" is treated as a singular, so the correct conjugation is "needs".
Barmar
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It depends on how you refer to the bread. You can either describe it as a mass noun or you can describe it as a countable noun. The mass noun uses a singular verb, while the countable noun uses a plural verb:
The bread (singular mass noun) needs (singular verb) to be put in the fridge.
The loaves of bread (plural countable noun) need (plural verb) to be put in the fridge.
You can even use the plural of bread without qualifying it with loaves. It's not as common, but it's still correct:
The breads (plural countable noun) need (plural verb) to be put in the fridge.
Jason Bassford
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