doubt in CAT practice paper explanation

[investment2056]

Recent studies suggest that an intake of vitamin E in excess of that found naturally in a balanced diet may actually increase the risk of developing certain illnesses, despite the claims of thousands of people who swear by it as a dietary supplement.


a)Recent studies suggest that an intake of vitamin E in excess of that found naturally in a balanced diet may actually increase the risk of developing certain illnesses

b)Recent studies suggest that taking vitamin E in excess of that found naturally in a balanced diet actually increases the risk of developing certain illnesses

c)Certain illnesses may be at a higher risk of development if vitamin E is taken in excess of a balanced diet, according to recent studies

d)According to recent studies, the intake of vitamin E, if in excess of that found naturally in a balanced diet, may actually increase developing certain illnesses

e)Vitamin E, recent studies suggest, if in excess of that found naturally in a balanced diet, may actually increase the development risk of certain illnesses



Doubt: Sir I want to know that in above question I have doubt why option b is not correct as verb increases matches as per SV agreement rule with its subject an intake but in option b verb is mentioned increase and still its true as per solution

regards

Ashish

[jlucero]

Chalk this up to another pesky rule of the English language:

It increases the risk.
It may increase the risk.

The word "may" is a modal, or auxiliary, verb that indicates likelihood, ability, etc. When added, we need to use the plural verb tense, even with a singular subject:

He sings.
He can sing.

They sing.
They can sing. (notice this still uses the plural verb form with a plural subject)

She reads.
She will read.

The dog walks.
The dog might walk.