<p>is "are a threat to" wrong? because I seem to hear it everywhere.
"The infidels are a threat to national security": it sounds right, but shouldn't it be "threats" since the subject to which it refers to is also plural?</p>
<p>I may be incorrect, but I believe that ‘threat’ is singular in this case because ‘infidels’ is a group (of people). Similar to a band or class.</p>
<p>But then it would be “is” instead of are if it were a single group</p>
<p>I would assume that if the infidels would be a threat individually, then it should be are. But if they’re only a threat when they’re assembled as a group, then it’s is. </p>
<p>But that’s just my two cents</p>
<p>So essentially it can be used in either sense depending on meaning?
It’s not an sat question, just a curious thought.</p>
<p>Actually, take a look at these quotes
“The indignity and condescending disregard for human life caused by the terrorists’ activities are a threat to us all.”
“Environmentalists are a threat to environmentalism”</p>
<p>These are both just a couple quotes that I found from a slew of sites that use this syntax.
Threat, in the sense of ‘an impending danger’, may actually be a noncount noun. Whereas threats in the plural may only refer to things like ‘phrases intended to intimidate’. </p>
<p>I’m not saying that this is correct; but if you want a solid answer to this, perhaps do some research on the word and look up noncount nouns in Silverturtle’s SAT guide.</p>
<p>Oh, wow, you’re right. I totally misread the question. Sorry.</p>