用作主语的名词词组中心词和谓语动词在单、复数形式上的一致,就是语法一致.也就是说,如果名词中心词是单数,动词用单数形式;如果名词中心词是复数,动词用复数形式.例如:
Thistableisagenuineantique.
Bothpartieshavetheirownadvantages.
Herjobhassomethingtodowithcomputers.
Shewantstogohome.
Theyaredivorcingeachother.
Marywaswatchingherselfinthemirror.
Thebirdbuiltanest.
Susancomeshomeeveryweek-end.
(二)编辑本段回目录主谓一致-意义一致原则
有时,主语和谓语动词的一致关系取决于主语的单、复数意义,而不是语法上的单、复数形式,这样的一致关系就是意义一致.例如:
Democraticgovernmentgraduallytaketheplaceofanall-powerfulmonarchy.
Abarrackswasattackedbytheguerilla.
Mumpsisakindofinfectiousdisease.
TheUnitedStatesisadevelopedcountry.
Itistheremainsofaruinedpalace.
Thearchiveswaslost.
Thispairoftrouserscostsfiftydollars.
(三)编辑本段回目录主谓一致-就近原则
有时,谓语动词的单、复数形式决定于最靠近它的词语.
例如:
Eithermygrandsonsortheirfatheriscoming.
Nooneexcepthisdaughtersagreewithhim.
Maryandhersistersarebakingacake.
NeitherRichardnorIamgoing.
编辑本段回目录主谓一致-以集合名词做主语的主谓一致问题
有些集合名词,ommittee,council,crew,crowd,family,gang,government,group,mob,staff,team,union等,在意义上是复数,但在语法形式上是单数,这类名词作主语的主谓一致问题往往遵循“语法一致”或“意义一致”原则.例如:
Thecommitteehas/havedecidedtodismisshim.
Acouncilofeldersgovernsthetribe.
Thepresentgovernmentistryingtocontrolinflation.
Theschoolstaffareexpectedtosuperviseschoolmeals.
(一)通常作复数的集体名词
包括police,people,cattle,militia,vermin等,这些集体名词通常用作复数.
例如:
TheBritishpolicehaveonlyverylimitedpowers.
Themilitiawerecalledouttoguardtheborderland.
Itseemsthecattleonthesidesofthedikesweretheonlylivingcreaturesinthesedesolatesurroundings.
(二)通常作不可数名词的集体名词
通常作不可数名词的集体名词,包括poultry,foliage,machinery,equipment,furniture,
merchandise等,这类名词后的动词用单数形式.
例如:
Poultryisexpensiveatthistimeofyear.
Thatgreenfoliagewasrestful.
Themerchandisehasarrivedundamaged.
AllthemachineryinthefactoryismadeinChina.
Thesuiteoffurnitureheboughtwasofcontemporarystyle.
Theequipmentofthephotographicstudiowasexpensive.
(三)可作单数也可作复数的集体名词
可作单数也可作复数的集体名词,包括audience,committee,crew,family,government,jury等.
例如:
Theaudiencewas/wereenthusiasticontheopeningnightoftheplay.
Thecommitteehas/havedecidedtodismisshim.
Thejuryis/areabouttoannouncethewinners.
Thegovernmenthas/havediscussedthematterforalongtime.
三、acommittee,etcof+复数名词的主谓一致问题
如果主语是由acommitteeof/apanelof/a(the)boardof+复数名词构成,随后的动词通常用单数.
例如:
Acommitteeoftwelvemenistodiscussthematter.
Apanelofexpertshasconsideredthesituation.
Theboardofmanagersisresponsibleforthefirm.
四、以-s结尾的名词作主语的主谓一致问题
英语可数名词的规则复数形式是在词尾加-s或-es,但是有一些以-s结尾的名词并不是可数名词.它们用法多样,造成了实际使用上的困难,以下详述了以-s结尾的名词作主语的主谓一致问题.
(一)以-s结尾的疾病名称作主语的主谓一致问题
(二)以