基本规则很简单。真正丢分的地方,是找出主语比看上去更难的那些情况。
基本规则
单数主语 → 单数动词形式。复数 → 复数动词形式。
- The dog barks. / The dogs bark.
- She has a car. / They have a car.
请注意一个反常之处:在一般现在时中,加 -s 的反而是单数——这与名词正好相反。
陷阱一:主语和动词之间的插入词
动词要和主语保持一致,而不是和离它最近的名词一致。
The box of chocolates is on the table.(是盒子放在桌上,不是巧克力)
The results of the survey were surprising.
判断方法——在心里去掉主语和动词之间的所有内容。The box … is. 不管中间插入的部分有多长,一致关系都不会变。
由 as well as、along with、together with、in addition to 引导的插入部分同样不会改变主语:
- ✅ The manager, as well as the assistants, is attending.
陷阱二:看起来像复数的不可数名词
News、information、advice、furniture、luggage、money、research 在英语中都是不可数名词。
❌ The news are bad. ✅ The news is bad.
❌ These informations are useful. ✅ This information is useful.
学科名称 mathematics、physics、economics、politics 也是如此——尽管词尾有 -s:Physics is hard.
还有两个相反的情况
由两部分组成的物品,反而要用复数:trousers、jeans、glasses、scissors。
- ✅ My glasses are on the desk.(要表达单数,只能说 a pair of glasses is)
陷阱三:each、every、everyone
不论实际指多少人,这些词永远搭配单数。
- Everyone is here.(不是 are)
- Each of the students has a folder.
somebody、nobody、anything、neither 也是一样:Neither of them was available.
陷阱四:there is / there are
动词要和紧跟在它后面的成分保持一致。
- There is a problem. / There are problems.
- 在列举时,与第一个成分保持一致:There is a table and four chairs.
陷阱五:and 和 or
- A and B → 用复数:Tom and Sara are coming.
- A or B → 与离得最近的成分一致:Either the manager or the assistants are coming.
陷阱六:集体名词
Team、family、company、government、staff、class 都表示由多人组成的一个整体,而英语把选择权交给了你:
| 例句 | 强调重点 | |
|---|---|---|
| 单数 | The team is playing well. | 强调整体 |
| 复数 | The team are arguing among themselves. | 强调团队内的个体 |
英式英语使用复数的自由度比美式英语大得多。两种都是正确的——但在同一篇文章里要保持一致。
陷阱七:动作作主语
当主语是一个 -ing 形式或一整个从句时,它被看作单一的一件事,动词要用单数形式。
- ✅ Reading books is relaxing.(不是 are,尽管 books 是复数)
- ✅ What we need now is more time.
陷阱八:a number of 和 the number of
这两个短语看起来相似,用法却正好相反。
- A number of students are waiting.(意思是"若干个"→ 复数)
- The number of students is falling.(指数字本身 → 单数)
用 a lot of、most of、half of、some of 时,由 of 后面的名词决定:Half of the cake is gone. / Half of the guests have left.
自测
下面的测验几乎全部围绕这些陷阱设计。