隆回一中 羅玉南
英語中,主語的單復(fù)數(shù)形式?jīng)Q定著謂語動詞的單復(fù)數(shù)形式。這看起來似乎很簡單,但用起來卻常常遇到復(fù)雜的情況。經(jīng)過多年的探索,筆者認(rèn)為主謂一致必須遵循以下三條原則:語法一致原則、意義一致原則、就近一致原則。根據(jù)這三條原則,現(xiàn)從以下幾個方面進(jìn)行總結(jié):
一、 并列結(jié)構(gòu)作主語時的主謂一致
1.由and 連接的兩個單數(shù)名詞作主語時,謂語動詞一般根據(jù)語法一致的原則用復(fù)數(shù)。如:鶤 young man and a girl want to go there.一個青年男子和一個姑娘想去那里。
但如果在意義上指同一個人、同一件事或同一個概念時,謂語動詞要用單數(shù)形式。如:
A needle and thread was found on the floor. 在地板上找到了針線(穿了線的針)。
2. 當(dāng)each …and each…, every…and every…, no…and no…, many a…and many a …結(jié)構(gòu)作主語時,謂語動詞用單數(shù)形式。如:
①No man and no animal is to be found on the moon.在月球上沒發(fā)現(xiàn)人和動物。
②Many a doctor and many a nurse is busy with their work.
許多醫(yī)生和護(hù)士都忙于他們的工作。
3.一個單數(shù)名詞同時被兩個不同的形容詞修飾,表示兩個不同的概念時,謂語動詞一般用復(fù)數(shù)。如:
Ancient and modern history are the subjects we are studying.
古代史和現(xiàn)代史是我們目前學(xué)習(xí)的課程。
但如果表示的是同一概念時應(yīng)用單數(shù)。如:
The last and most difficult lesson is lesson14.
14課是最后一課也是最難的一課。
4.由not only… but also… ,鷈ither…or… , neither… nor… , … or…連接的并列主語,謂語動詞通常依就近一致原則決定。如:
Either the players or the coach is responsible for the defeat.
不是運(yùn)動員就是教練應(yīng)該對這次比賽的失利負(fù)責(zé)。
5.當(dāng)主語由as well as, along with, together with, rather than, no less than, but, except, besides, in addition to, like, including等詞連接時,其謂語動詞的單復(fù)數(shù)形式通常由前面的詞來決定。如:
①An iron and steal works, with some satellite factories. is to be built here.
在這里將建立一個鋼鐵廠和一些衛(wèi)星廠。
②Tom, along with his friends, goes skating every Saturday.
每個星期六,湯姆和他的朋友們一起去滑冰。
二、百分?jǐn)?shù)、分?jǐn)?shù)作主語時的主謂一致
當(dāng)百分?jǐn)?shù)、分?jǐn)?shù)后面加名詞或代詞時,要根據(jù)這個名詞或代詞來決定其謂語動詞的單復(fù)數(shù)形式。如果是復(fù)數(shù)名詞或代詞,謂語動詞用復(fù)數(shù);如果是單數(shù)名詞(或不可數(shù)名詞)或代詞,謂語動詞用單數(shù)。如:
①Fifty percent of the students in our school are girls.
我們學(xué)校百分之五十的學(xué)生是女生。
②Three-fourths of the surface of the earth is sea.
地球表面的四分之三是海洋。
三、 不定代詞作主語時的主謂一致
1.不定代詞each, another, the other, either, neither和由some, any, no, every+one 或thing構(gòu)成的復(fù)合代詞作主語時,謂語動詞用單數(shù)形式。如:
①Neither of us has gone through regular training.
我們兩個都沒經(jīng)過正規(guī)訓(xùn)練。
②Nobody wants to go there, does he﹖
沒有人想去那里,是吧?
③Something has been done to end the strike.
已經(jīng)采取措施制止罷工了。
2.none 作主語時,謂語動詞既可用單數(shù)也可用復(fù)數(shù),這要取決于說話人的看法。如:
①None of us seem to have thought of it.似乎我們?nèi)紱]有想到這一點(diǎn)。
③None of us has got a camera. (None = Not a single one)
我們都沒有照相機(jī)。
3.both, (a) few, many, several作主語時,謂語動詞通常用復(fù)數(shù)形式。如:
Both (of) the instruments are not precise ones. 這兩種儀器并不都是精密儀器。
4. all作主語表示人時,謂語動詞用復(fù)數(shù);表示物時,謂語動詞用單數(shù)。如:
①All is well that ends well.結(jié)果好一切都好。
②All are eager to reach an agreement.大家都急于達(dá)成一項(xiàng)協(xié)議。
四、 表示“全體”、“部分”等意義的詞作主語時的主謂一致
1.當(dāng)主語是most, the rest, the last, the remainder等時,其謂語一般應(yīng)遵循意義一致的原則:如果of后面的名詞是單數(shù),則用單數(shù);如果of后面的名詞表示復(fù)數(shù),則用復(fù)數(shù)。如:
①Three of us will go, the rest are to stay here.
我們中的三個人去,其余的人留在這里。
②After the big fire, the remainder is nothing.
大火之后什么也沒剩下。
2.當(dāng)town, school, village 等分別表示總稱的“鎮(zhèn)民”、 “全校師生”、“村民”時,謂語動詞可以用單數(shù),也可以用復(fù)數(shù)。有時可用the 或加形容詞whole修飾。如:
①The whole school were / was sorry when she left.她離開時,全校師生都很傷心。
②The whole town is / are in agreement about the plan.全體鎮(zhèn)民都同意這項(xiàng)計(jì)劃。
五、 “the+形容詞/過去分詞”作主語時的主謂一致
當(dāng) ”the +形容詞 / 過去分詞”表示一類人或事物時,謂語動詞用復(fù)數(shù);如果指某一抽象概念時,謂語動詞則用單數(shù)。如:
①The sick here are very well cared for.這里的病人都被照顧得很好。
③The true is to be distinguished from the false.
真實(shí)與虛假應(yīng)加以區(qū)別。
六、 形式為復(fù)數(shù)、意義為單數(shù)的名詞作主語時的主謂一致
1.表示時間、距離、金額、重量、計(jì)量、空間、體積等意義的復(fù)數(shù)名詞作主語,謂語動詞常用單數(shù)形式。如:
①Eight hours of sleep is enough. 八小時的睡眠足夠了。
②Ten pounds was missing from the till. 錢柜里的10英鎊不見了。
2.以數(shù)字作主語的詞或短語,有時可以看成一個整體,謂語動詞用單數(shù)形式。如:
Thirty-six from forty瞗ive leaves nine. 四十五減去三十六等于九。
注:兩數(shù)相加或兩數(shù)相乘,謂語動詞既可用單數(shù)形式也可用復(fù)數(shù)形式。如:
Six times seven are / is forty-two. 六乘以七等于四十二。
3.主語為以-ics結(jié)尾的學(xué)科名稱時,謂語動詞一般用單數(shù)形式。如:
Politics is often a topic for discussion among us.政治常常是我們討論的話題。
4. 以-s結(jié)尾的專有名詞作主語時,謂語動詞用單數(shù)形式。如:
New York Times has a wide circulation. 《紐約時報》的銷路很廣。
5.群島、山脈、瀑布等專有名詞如:the Alps, the Philippines, Niagara Falls等作主語時,謂語動詞用復(fù)數(shù)形式。如:
Niagara Falls are a splendid scene. 尼亞加拉瀑布是一個壯麗的景象。
6.一些形式為復(fù)數(shù),意思為單數(shù)的名詞,如:trousers, pants, shorts,glasses, scissors等作主語時,謂語動詞用復(fù)數(shù)。如:
Her glasses are new. 她的眼鏡是新的。
但當(dāng)這類名詞前有a pair of 修飾時,謂語動詞應(yīng)用單數(shù)。如:
This pair of scissors is made in Hangzhou. 這把剪刀是杭州制造的。
七、number many a…等作主語時的主謂一致
1.the number of … (……的數(shù)目)作主語時,謂語動詞用單數(shù);而 a number of …(許多……)作主語時,謂語動詞用復(fù)數(shù)。如:
The number of mistakes is surprising. 錯誤之多是驚人的。
2.many a, more than one+單數(shù)名詞構(gòu)成的短語,盡管意義上是復(fù)數(shù),但謂語動詞仍用單數(shù)形式。如:Many a comrade has that kind of opportunity.很多同志都有那種機(jī)遇。
3.one and a half加復(fù)數(shù)名詞作主語時,謂語動詞用單數(shù)形式。如:
One and a half apples has been eaten by the boy.
八、集體名詞作主語時的主謂一致
1.有生命的詞,people,police,cattle,youth等集合名詞作主語時,謂語動詞一律用復(fù)數(shù)形式。如:
The police are searching the house for the thief.謂語動詞用復(fù)數(shù)形式。如:
The police are investigating the crime.警察正在調(diào)查這次犯罪活動。
2.無生命的詞,如:foliage(葉子),machinery (機(jī)械),merchandise (商品、貨物)等作主語時,謂語動詞用單數(shù)形式。如:
All the machinery in the factory is made in China.
這家工廠的全部機(jī)器都是中國制造的。
3.audience, class, crew (全體船員),committee(委員會),family, team, group等作主語時,如果指一個整體,謂語動詞用單數(shù);如果指全體中的每一個成員則用復(fù)數(shù)形式。如:
①The football team is being recognized. (他們)正在重建這個足球隊(duì)。
②The football team are having baths and then they are coming back here for tea.
足球隊(duì)員們正在洗澡,然后他們會回到這里來喝茶。
九、“one of +復(fù)數(shù)名詞+定語從句” 結(jié)構(gòu)中的主謂一致
1.在 “one of +復(fù)數(shù)名詞+定語從句” 結(jié)構(gòu)中,定語從句中謂語動詞的單復(fù)數(shù)應(yīng)由它修飾的先行詞的數(shù)來決定。如:
This is one of the rooms that were damaged in the fire.這就是那次大火燒毀的房間之一。
2.在“the only one of +復(fù)數(shù)名詞+定語從句” 結(jié)構(gòu)中,定語從句的謂語動詞應(yīng)用單數(shù)形式。如: Mary is the only one of the youngest girls who plays in the band.
瑪麗是參加樂隊(duì)伴奏的最年輕的姑娘。
十、從句、動詞不定式、-ing形式作主語時的主謂一致
1.在 “主系表” 結(jié)構(gòu)中,如果以what從句作主語,表語又是單數(shù),主句的謂語動詞一般用單數(shù);如果表語是復(fù)數(shù),主句的謂語動詞一般用復(fù)數(shù)。動詞不定式、瞚ng形式作主語時,謂語動詞一般用單數(shù)。如:
①What caused the accident is a complete mystery.
事故是由什么引起的完全是個謎。
②What his father left him are a few English books.
他父親留給他的只是幾本英語書而已。
③To learn English well is difficult.學(xué)好英語是困難的。
2.當(dāng)what 從句具有兩個或兩個以上的動詞,是表示復(fù)數(shù)意義的并列結(jié)構(gòu)時,主句中的謂語動詞多用復(fù)數(shù)形式。如:
What I say and think are none of your business. 我說的和我想的都與你無關(guān)。
3.以who, why, how, whether或that引導(dǎo)的從句作主語時,謂語動詞通常用單數(shù)形式。如:
Why she did this is not known. 她為什么做這件事還不清楚。
注:由how and why, when and where引導(dǎo)的從句作主語時,謂語動詞仍用單數(shù)形式。如:
How and why he had come to Princeton New Jersey is a story of struggle, success and sadness.
他為什么以及怎樣來到新澤西普林斯頓是一個充滿著斗爭、成功和悲哀的故事。
4.a(chǎn)nd連接的兩個名詞性從句作主語,如果表示兩件事情,其謂語動詞常用復(fù)數(shù)形式。如: What caused the accident and who was responsible for it remain a mystery to us.
造成事故的原因是什么,誰應(yīng)對事故負(fù)責(zé),對我們來說還是一個謎。
十一、其它
1.不可數(shù)名詞前面加上單位詞進(jìn)行計(jì)量,單位詞是復(fù)數(shù)時,謂語動詞用復(fù)數(shù)形式。如:
Large quantities of oil are needed.
Fifty tons of coal were wasted in the factory last winter.
2.a(chǎn) good/great many,a number of, quite a few,plenty of,a lot of,lots of,a large quantity of,large quantities of等后面接可數(shù)名詞復(fù)數(shù)作主語時,謂語動詞要用復(fù)數(shù)形式。如:
A lot of new machines were bought by the factory.
I.主謂一致練與析
從A、B、C和D四個選項(xiàng)中選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項(xiàng)。
1.-____ eitherhe or I fit for the job﹖
-Neither he nor you ____.
A.Am; are鶥.Is; are鶦.Are; are D.Is; is
2.(1)燗 cart and a horse ____ in the distance.
(2)燗 cart and horse ____ in the distance.
A.was seen鶥.were seen C.see鶧.sees
3.In our country, every boy and every girl ____ the right to go to school.
A.has B.have C.is D.a(chǎn)re
4.The wounded ____ good care of here now.
A.is taken B.a(chǎn)re being taken C.a(chǎn)re taking D.is being taken
5.The factory, including its machines and buildings, _burnt last night.
A.is鶥.a(chǎn)re鶦.were鶧.was
6.(1) The students in our school each ____ an English dictionary.煩
(2) Each of the students in our school ____ an English dictionary.
A.a(chǎn)re having鶥.had鶦.has鶧.have
7.(1)燤any students ____ that mistake before.
(2)燤any a student ____ that mistake before.
A.had made鶥.has been made C.have made鶧.has made
8.I, who ____ your good friend, will share your joys and sorrows.
A.was鶥.a(chǎn)re鶦.is鶧.a(chǎn)m
9.All but him and me ____ to the cinema.
A.a(chǎn)re going鶥.is going鶦.was going鶧.has going
10.The rest of the novel ___very interesting.
A.were B.a(chǎn)re C.is D.seem
11.Some person ____ calling for you at the gate.
A.will be鶥.is being C.is鶧.a(chǎn)re
12.The population of China ____ larger than that of the USA.
A.will be B.a(chǎn)re C.is D.was
13.Deer ____ faster than dogs.
A.will run B.a(chǎn)re running C.runs D.run
14.Every means ____ tried, but there is no result.
A.have been B.has been C.will be鶧.were
15.This pair of trousers ____ my sister.My trousers ____.
A.is belong to; is being washed B.belongs to; are being washed
C.belong to; is washed鶧.a(chǎn)re belonging to; has been washed
16.To play basketball and to go swimming _useful for character-training.
鶤.was鶥.is鶦.a(chǎn)re鶧.were
17.When and where to build the new factory____yet.
A.has not been decided B.is not decided
C.a(chǎn)re not decided鶧.have not been decided
18.What I want ____ an interesting book while what he wants ____ two cups of coffee.鶤.is; are B.a(chǎn)re; is B.is; is D.a(chǎn)re; are煩
[答案與簡析]牘
1.B。在正式文體中,由連詞or, either…or, neither…nor, not…but, whether…or, not only…but also等連接兩個并列主語時熚接鋃詞要與最近的主語保持一致。2.(1)燘; (2)燗。當(dāng)and或both…and…連接兩個不可數(shù)名詞或可數(shù)名詞作主語時熚接鋃詞用復(fù)數(shù)形式牭如果并列的兩個名詞指的是同一個人,同一個事物或一套事物時(第二個名詞前往往沒有冠詞),謂語動詞要用單數(shù)。3.A。and連接的并列主語前如果有every, each, no時,謂語動詞要用單數(shù)。4.B。“the+形容詞/分詞”作主語表示一類人時熚接鋃詞用復(fù)數(shù)形式。5.D。but, except, besides, with, together with, along with, including, as well as, rather than, like等詞連接主語時,謂語動詞和前面的主語保持一致。6.(1)燚; (2)燙。each, one, either, neither, anyone, anything, somebody, someone, something, everything, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, nothing, little,焌 little作主語時,謂語動詞一般用單數(shù);而each作同位語時,謂語動詞與句子的主語保持一致。7.(1)燙; (2)燚。many修飾主語時,謂語動詞用復(fù)數(shù)。“many a+單數(shù)名詞”,“more than one+單數(shù)名詞”,具有復(fù)數(shù)意義,但作主語時謂語動詞要用單數(shù)。8.D。定語從句中的關(guān)系代詞who, that, which在從句中作主語時熎湮接鋃詞要與先行詞保持人稱和數(shù)的一致。9.A。all, half of, most of, none of, some of, a part of, a lot of, plenty of, the rest (of)等代詞熞約胺質(zhì)、百分?jǐn)?shù)作主語時,要遵循意義一致的原則熂雌湮接鋃詞的單復(fù)數(shù)形式要根據(jù)它們所代替或所修飾的詞的含義來確定。10.C。the rest作主語時,謂語動詞跟它所指代的名詞保持?jǐn)?shù)的一致。11.C。some在此句中表示“某一個……”,所以謂語動詞用單數(shù)形式。12.C。population作主語時,一般強(qiáng)調(diào)的是總?cè)丝跀?shù)量,句中謂語動詞用單數(shù)形式。13.D。deer單、復(fù)數(shù)形式一致煷頌庵械膁eer是復(fù)數(shù)形式。14.B。means單、復(fù)數(shù)形式一致熢詿司渲惺塹ナ形式。15.B。像trousers, shoes, glasses, clothes等一些由兩個部分構(gòu)成的表示衣物和工具的名詞作主語時熚接鋃詞常用復(fù)數(shù)形式牭若主語與a pair of, a kind of等詞連用時,謂語動詞一般用單數(shù)形式。16.C。and連接兩個不定式作主語, 表示兩件事情, 謂語動詞用復(fù)數(shù)形式。17.A。兩個并列疑問詞加動詞不定式表示一個概念時,謂語動詞用單數(shù)形式。18.A。從句作主語時,要遵循意義一致的原則.