15.4 谓语需用单数
1) 代词each和由every, some, no, any等构成的复合代词作主语,或主语中含有each, every, 谓语需用单数。
Each of us has a tape-recorder.
There is something wrong with my watch.
2) 当主语是一本书或一条格言时,谓语动词常用单数。
The Arabian Night is a book known to lovers of English.
<<天方夜谭>>是英语爱好者熟悉的一本好书。
3) 表示金钱,时间,价格或度量衡的复合名词作主语时,通常把这些名词看作一个整体,谓语一般用单数。(用复数也可,意思不变。)
Three weeks was allowed for making the necessary preparations.
Ten yuan is enough.
15.5 指代意义决定谓语的单复数
1) 在代词what, which, who, none, some, any, more, most, all等词的单复数由其指代的词的单复数决定。
All is right. (一切顺利。)
All are present.(所有人都到齐了。)
2) 集体名词作主语时,谓语的数要根据主语的意思来决定。如family, audience, crew, crowd, class, company, committee等词后用复数形式时,意为这个集体中的各个成员,用单数时表示该个集体。
His family isn't very large.他家不是一个大家庭。
His family are music lovers.他的家人都是音乐爱好者。
但集合名词people, police, cattle, poultry等在任何情况下都用复数形式。
Are there any police around?
3)有些名词,如variety, number, population, proportion, majority 等有时看作单数,有时看作复数。
A number of +名词复数+复数动词。
The number of +名词复数+单数动词。
A number of books have lent out.
The majority of the students like English.