在高中英语学习中,随着学习的不断深入,同学们会逐渐发现能够充当主语的成分也越来越多,除了常见的名词、代词,还有非谓语、句子等等,那么如何使这些主语和它的谓语动词保持性、数上的一致,即主谓一致就成了我们英语学习中的一个重要课题,也是历来高考题关注的热点。现总结主谓一致的几点原则如下:
1)就近原则
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,谓语动词与靠近的那个名词或代词保持一致。
Neither his parents nor Tom is at home.
汤姆和他的父母都不在家。
注:“either…or,neither…nor,or”连接的两个主语若是一单一复,最好将复数主词放在后面而接复数动词。
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 is a book and some pens on the desk.
桌子上有一本书和几支钢笔。
There comes the bus.汽车来了。
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 is talking to my father.
我认识那个正在和我父亲谈话的人。
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 was injured in the car accident.
是玛丽的哥哥在车祸中受伤了。
2)意义一致原则
①当主语与谓语动词之间插入along with,with,as well as,together with, no less than,besides,except, but, including等短语时,谓语动词不受这些插入语的干扰,依然和主语保持一致。
I,along with my sister,am going to Shanghai next month.
Mathematics is my favorite subject.数学是我最喜欢的科目。
②英语中有一类单、复数同型的词(people,means,sheep,deer,fish等),其单、复数取决于它在句中的含义。
All of the people in the country have been prepared for the great reformation.
这个国家的人都已经为大变革作好了准备。
③多数情况下,由“what”引导的名词性从句作主语时,其后的谓语动词通常用单数形式。
What I want to say is just “Take care!”我只想说:“多保重!”
④当主语与all, none, any,some等不定代词、形容词连用时,应根据具体句意,来决定其后的谓语动词的单复数。
All I know about this company is what he told me yesterday.
我对这家公司的了解都是昨天他告诉我的。
⑤“…+ (of)+名词”结构描述数量时,如果“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。
Most of the water here is clean.大部分的水是干净的。
80% cotton has been sent to America.80%的棉花已经被送往美国。
Half of the apples are red.有一半儿的苹果是红的。
⑥词组“a number of, a great/good many, a group of+可数名词复数”的结构作主语时,谓语动词应用复数;如果冠词a变为the,则谓语动词用单数。
A number of ancient buildings are destroyed in the war.
许多的古代建筑在战争中被毁。
The number of the visitors has decreased this year.
游客的数量今年减少了。
⑦英语的集体名(committee,crowd,family,public,group,party,team,class,club,company,
union等词),指代“整体”时为单数;指代“其中的各成员”则为复数。
My family was very poor when I was a little girl.
当我还是一个小女孩儿的时候,我家很穷。
My family are all looking forward to your coming.
我的家人都在期待着你的到来。