foods are limited

[keannu]

[FONT=&#48148]Firstly, overpopulation in backward(developing) countries causes a food shortage.[/FONT][FONT=&#48148]Because population is increasing. By the way, foods is restricted. [/FONT][FONT=&#48148]*It's because while population is increasing, foods are limited
================================================
Is it better to say "limited" instead of "restricted" for food shortage? I think "restricted" doesn't fit "foods" as it has the nuance of limiting of space or other things.

[/FONT]

 

[Tarheel]

I think I know what you are trying to say here.

Overpopulation in developing countries causes food shortages. That is because production of food doesn't increase even though population does.

 

[Tarheel]

As far as saying food is either restricted or limited, I am not sure what you mean.

 

[keannu]

If "food is limited" sounds awkward, what about "food stays the same level of amount"? I actually asked the difference between "restrict" and "limit". The former seems to mean active and forcing action by an authority or something, so doesn't suit the meaning here. The latter sounds less active and forcing.
===============================================
Firstly, overpopulation in developing countries causes a food shortage.
It's because while population is increasing, food is limited

 

[GoesStation]

If "food is limited" sounds awkward, what about "food stays the same level of amount"? I actually asked the difference between "restrict" and "limit". The former seems to mean active and forcing action by an authority or something, so doesn't suit the meaning here. The latter sounds less active and forcing.
===============================================
Firstly, overpopulation in developing countries causes a food shortage.
It's because while population is increasing, food is limited

It's the food supply or the supply of food which is limited.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

First, overpopulation in backward [SPACE!] (developing) countries causes food shortages because population is increasing. [Your "because population is increasing" is a phrase, not a sentence.] By the way, food is restricted. *It's because while population is increasing, food is limited.
================================================
Is it better to say "limited" instead of "restricted" for food shortage? They mean two different things. I don't know which you mean. "Limited" means there is only a small supply. "Restricted" means there are rules (restrictions) against it.

Pay attention to spacing.

 

[Tarheel]

Do you know what happens if the population increases but the food supply stays the same?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Incorrect: "foods are limited."

Correct: "food is limited."

Correct and more natural:

- food is scarce.
- food is hard to find.
- there is not enough food.

 

[konungursvia]

It think saying 'food supplies are finite' is the best and most elegant way in that context.

 

[keannu]

Why is it "food supplies" instead of "food supply"? Is it a plural form reflecting the concept of generalization or to go with the plural form of "developing countries"?

It think saying 'food supplies are finite' is the best and most elegant way in that context.

 

[Tarheel]

You can say the food supply is limited..(There is, of course, not an unlimited amount of anything.)

The population increases while the food supply remains the same. What happens? (Or the food supply decreases while the population remains the same.)

 

[keannu]

My question was why it is 1, a plural form instead of 2. Does 1 imply generalization?

1. food supplies are finite'
2.'food supply is finite'

 

[konungursvia]

Yes, because there are several different food supplies which go scarce at different times: rice; barley; vegetables; taro; potato; etc.

 

[Tarheel]

My question was why it is 1, a plural form instead of 2. Does 1 imply generalization?

1. food supplies are finite'
2.'food supply is finite'

As far as I'm concerned you can use either one.

1. Food supplies are finite.
2. The food supply is finite.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

My question was why it is 1, a plural form instead of 2. Does 1 imply generalization?

1. food supplies are finite'
2.'food supply is finite'

Because you didn't say "THE food supply."