consumption with has or have?

Question

I know that "consumption" is a mass word. But my question is: In sentence: Water and electricity consumption in the hotels HAS FALLEN or HAVE FALLEN? Which option should I use.

It could go either way, depending on whether electricity and water consumption are independent or necessarily linked together. After all, water and electricity consumption comes from Conjunction Reduction on water consumption and electricity consumption, which would be plural, and transformations like Conjunction Reduction don't change meaning. — John Lawler, Mar 25 '20 at 21:15

score -1 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 25 '20 at 20:50

-1

You've already answered your question.

It's a mass word, right?

And mass words are singular, right?

So which is right: it has fallen or it have fallen?

Easy! I think you're there.

answered Mar 25 '20 at 20:50

Charlie Bernstein

981

This does not address the core issue, which is how to treat a compound subject. You should read the comment from John Lawler. – Cascabel_StandWithUkraine_ Mar 26 '20 at 14:47

consumption with has or have?

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