Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[b7lake]

#It is estimated that over 30 percent suffer or suffers sleep-disturbing noise level at night.

Which is correct between suffer and suffers?

Thanks a lot for your help.

[2006]

'It is estimated that over 30 percent (of the people) suffer...........' (they suffer)

The 'understood' missing noun is a plural noun, people or animals-whatever the sentence refers to, so we use the plural verb 'suffer'.