主语与谓语动词的一致

主语与谓语动词的一致

江苏沛县湖西中学鹿俊先 221611

英语谓语动词的形式必须随其主语的人称及数的不同而变化，这就叫作主语与谓语动词的一致，简称主谓一致。

在现代英语中除动词be有不同的人称形式(am, is, are, was, were)以及动词have有特殊的单数第三人称现在式形式(has)外，其余的动词只有单数第三人称现在式形式加-s / -es，其他形式则无区别。因此对于学习者而言，主谓一致问题主要是注意单数第三人称现在式动词形式加-s / -es的问题。处理主谓一致问题可依照不同的原则，即从不同的角度着眼。以下对这些原则及容易产生困惑之处加以分析、归纳。

1．语法一致，即主语为单数，就使用单数形式的动词，主语为复数，就使用复数形式的动词。

1．1．单数及复数名词的辨别。

某些名词单数词尾，却用作复数，如：people (人们), police, cattle, poultry（家禽）等。

People have the right to defend themselves.

The police are investigating the murder of a six-year-old girl.

The poultry have been fed.

某些名词复数词尾，却常用作单数，如：news, mathematics / maths, physics, politics等。

Mathematics / Maths（数学学科）is the science of pure quantity.

(Her mathematics / maths（数学能力）are / is rather shaky.) The news is favourable this morning.

某些名词单数、复数形式相同，都是单数词尾，如：fish, sheep, deer, craft, Chinese, Swiss等。

In summer the red dear has a reddishbrown coat.

A baby deer is able to stand up as soon as it is born.

Baby deer are able to stand up as soon as they are born.

某些名词单数、复数形式相同，都是复数词尾，如：means (=way), works (=factory), crossroads, series, species, barracks, headquarters 等。

All means have been tried.

Every means has been tried.

1．2．避免主语的同位语及其它修饰语语义上的干扰。

容易产生干扰的同位语：each, one of…, like …, such as…, including…, especially…, particularly…, for example,…等。

Some rubbish, such as / like food and paper, rots away over a period of time.

Practical lessons, such as / like woodwork, are not considered to be as important as maths.

We each have a different point of view. (each作同位语)

对照：Each of the houses is slightly different.(each作主语)

Many students in our class, especially David, are fond of music.

Playing football, one of his hobbies, has brought him many friends.

常见容易产生干扰的前置修饰语：more than one, many a, every 以及被同化为相当于many / much / most意义的口语中常用短语：a lot of, lots of, a (great / good / large) number of, a great / good deal of, the majority of, a large quantity of等。正式书面语中的 large quantities of…的谓语动词为复数形式。

A lot of / Lots of problems are caused by unemployment.

A lot of / Lots of trouble is caused by racism.

Many a famous pop star has been ruined by drugs.

对照：Many famous pop stars have been ruined by drugs.

The majority of the damage is easy to repair.

A /The majority of criminals are non-violent.

对照：The majority was /were in favour of the proposal.

A (large) number of books have been stolen from the library.

对照：The number of my telephone is 62239988.

The number of students in the school is large.（以