主谓一致
一.就近原则出现几个主语时,谓语动词的人称单复数须和最近的主语保持一致。
二.意义一致原则主语形式是单数,但意义为复数,谓语动词根据意义要用复数;反之主语形式为复数,但意义为单数,谓语动词也用单数。如表示一笔钱,一段时间,一定重量时,这些单位虽是复数形式,但谓语动词是单数形式。
三.语法一致一个句子的主语是单数时,谓语动词也应是单数形式,主语是复数,谓语动词也用复数形式。
细则如下:
1. 由并列结构或连词(either…or, neither…nor,not…but, not only…but also, or等)连接的并列主语,谓语动词与较近的那个名词或代词保持一致。
Neither his parents nor Tom_____(be) at home.
2. 在倒装句和there be句型中,谓语动词与后面的第一个主语保持一致。
There _____(be) a book and some pens on the desk.
There ______(come) the bus.
3. 在定语从句中,关系代词作主语,其谓语动词应与它所指代的先行词保持一致。
I know the man who_____(be) talking to my father.
4. 在强调句中,连接代词又在句中作主语,这时它应与被强调的主语保持一致。
It is Mary’s brother who_____(be) injured in the car accident yesterday.
5. 从句、不定式、动名词等作主语时谓语动词用单数。
When to leave _____(be) not been decided.
Watching TV too much _____(be) bad for your eyes.
When to leave _____(be) not been decided.
Watching TV too much _____(be) bad for your eyes.
注:如果主语是两个(或两个以上)的名词性从句,谓语动词常用复数。
What he said and what he did _____(be) always different last night .
由“what”引导的名词性从句作主语时,谓语动词通常用单数形式。
What I want to say _____(be) just “ Take care!”.
6.“…+ (of) +名词”作主语时,若“of”后的名词为单数(不可数名词),则谓语动词用单数,如果名词为复数,则谓语动词用复数,
如: half of, some of, any of, a lot of, lots of, plenty of, a quarter of, a third of, 30% of。
Most of the water here ______(be) clean.
80% cotton ______have) been sent to America.80%
Half of the apples ______(be) red.
7. 词组“a number of”作主语时,谓语动词应用复数;“the number of”作主语时,谓语动词用单数。
A number of ancient buildings _____ (be) destroyed in the war.
The number of the visitors _____ (have) decreased this year.