18.1 概說
一致(concord)是一個語法范疇,指詞語之間晨人稱、數(shù)、格、性等方面的一致。人稱、格和性的一致比較簡單,本書已在有關(guān)部分介紹過,本章著重討論數(shù)的一致。
數(shù)的一致涉及三個基本原則,即:
1)語法一致(grammatical concord),即形式上的一致。如:
(1)The boy shows his mother much attention. 這男孩對母親很照顧。(單形名詞主語要求單數(shù)謂語動詞)
(2)The boys are playing outside. 這些男孩正在外面玩耍。(復(fù)形名詞主語要求復(fù)數(shù)謂語動詞)
2)意義一致(notional concord),即意義或意念上的一致。如:
(3)The crew are paid to do all the work on the ship. 船員受雇干船上的全部工作。(單形名詞主語要求復(fù)數(shù)謂語動詞,the crew表一個集體的成員)
(4)Five minutes is enough. 五分鐘就夠了。(復(fù)形名詞主語要求單數(shù)謂語動詞,five minutes表一個數(shù)目)
3)鄰近原則(principle proximity),即指謂語動詞的形式與鄰近的名詞一致。如:
(5)A man of abilities are needed. 需要一個有能力的人。(動詞are不與主語a man一致,而與其鄰近的復(fù)形名詞abilities形式上一致)
18.2 單形與動詞的一致
單形名詞在句中作主語時用單數(shù)動詞。
1)單形集體名詞被視為一個整體時,用單數(shù)動詞。如:
(1)Our family has a reunion every year. 我家每年都團(tuán)聚一次。
(2)The enemy is retreating. 敵人開始撤退了。
被視為若干個體時,則要求復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(3)His family are waiting for him. 他一家人都正在等他。
(4)The enemy were encamped on the hill-side. 敵人在山坡上扎營。
有些單形集體名詞,即所謂的“群體名詞”,如police,militia,cattle等,則要求復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(5)The police have caught the murderer. 警方已捕獲殺人犯。
(6)In that village the Wiltshire militia were quartered. 威爾特郡民兵駐扎在那個村子里。
[注] 單形集體名詞之后用什么動詞形式,往往因人而異。英國和美國的習(xí)慣也不完全一樣。英國較多用復(fù)數(shù)動詞,如The government are determined to resist aggression.(政府決心抵抗侵略。),美國英語則多用單數(shù)動詞。
2)“more than one+單形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)雖有復(fù)念,習(xí)慣上多要求單數(shù)動詞。如:
(7)More than one question was asked. 提出的問題不止一個。
(8)More than one person involved in this. 與此事有牽連的人不止一個。
但“more+復(fù)形名詞+than one”結(jié)構(gòu)一般卻多要求復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(9)More members than one have protested against the proposal. 反對這項提議的會員不止一個。
“a+單形名詞+or two”結(jié)構(gòu)多要求單數(shù)動詞。如:
(10)A day or two is enough. 一兩天就夠了。
(11)A servant or two or three was to accompany them. 將有一個或兩個或三個仆人去陪他們。
“one or two+復(fù)形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)則要求復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(12)One or two reasons were suggested. 提出一兩條理由。
“many a+單形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)要求單數(shù)動詞,這種結(jié)構(gòu)多用于正式文體。如:
(13)Many a fine man has died in that battle. 許多優(yōu)秀士兵死于那次戰(zhàn)役。
(14)There’s many a slip twixt the cup and the lip. 事情往往會功虧一簣。(格言)
3)在“兩個形容詞+一個單形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)中,單數(shù)名詞如有復(fù)念(即代表兩個事物),則應(yīng)用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(15)The red and the white rose are both beautiful. 紅玫瑰與白玫瑰都很美。
(16)English and French grammar are not very difficult to learn. 英語語法和法語語法都不很難學(xué)。
18.3 復(fù)形名詞與動詞的一致
復(fù)形名詞(大多以s結(jié)尾)在句中作主語要求復(fù)數(shù)動詞。
1)含雙數(shù)概念的復(fù)形名詞要求復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(1)Are your kitchen scales accurate? 你的家用天平準(zhǔn)嗎?
(2)How much are those binoculars? 那架雙筒望遠(yuǎn)鏡值多少錢?
2)含復(fù)數(shù)概念的復(fù)形名詞要求復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(3)The customs were paid. 關(guān)稅已付。
(4)My funds are a bit low at present. 我的資金現(xiàn)在不多。
3)含單數(shù)概念的復(fù)形名詞要求單數(shù)動詞。如:
(5)His works is rather small. 他的工廠相當(dāng)小。
(6)A gallows is a wooden frame on which criminals are hanged. 絞刑架是一個上面可絞死罪犯的木架。
4)表時間、距離、錢額的復(fù)形名詞要求單數(shù)動詞。如:
(7)Ten years is a moment in history. 十年在歷史上是一瞬間。(ten years指一段時間)
(8)A hundred miles is a long distance. 一百英里是一段很長的距離。(a hundred miles指一段距離)
(9)Ten thousand dollars is large sum. 一萬美元是一大筆錢。
5)外來的復(fù)形名詞要求單數(shù)動詞。如:
(10)This data is very interesting. 這項數(shù)據(jù)很有意思。
(11)The agenda for Monday’s meeting has not yet reached me. 星期一會議的議程,我還沒有收到。
(12)Graffiti is spreading like wildfire. 在墻壁上亂涂的現(xiàn)象現(xiàn)在有燎原之勢。
6)以-ics結(jié)尾表學(xué)科的復(fù)形名詞一般要求單數(shù)動詞。如:
(13)Politics is often a topic for discussion among us. 政治常常是我們討論的課題。
(14)Statistics is a principal course at the business school. 統(tǒng)計學(xué)是這所職業(yè)學(xué)校的一門主要學(xué)科。
但這類名詞運用于實際時,則往往要求復(fù)數(shù)動詞。
(15)What are your politics? 你的政治觀點如何?
(16)Statistics prove nothing in this instance. 統(tǒng)計學(xué)在這一事例上不說明問題。
7)以’s結(jié)尾的某些表疾病的復(fù)形名詞,要求單數(shù)動詞。如:
(17)German measles is a dangerous disease for pregnant women. 風(fēng)疹對于孕婦是一種危險的疾病。
(18)Shingles is a disease by an infection of certain nerves and producing painful red spots often in a band around waist. 帶狀皰疹是一種由某些神經(jīng)所感染的疾病,經(jīng)常在腰部周圍生長很痛的帶狀紅斑。
有些這類名詞可用單數(shù)動詞或復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(19)Mumps is (are) fairly rare in adults. 腮腺炎在成年人中相當(dāng)罕見的。
8)有些復(fù)形名詞既可用單數(shù)動詞,亦可用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(20)Where are (is) your manners? 你怎么不講禮貌?
(21)His whereabouts are (is) unknown. 他不知在何處?
復(fù)形書名一般要求單數(shù)動詞。如:
(22)The Newcomes is one of Thackeray’s finest books. 《新來的人們》是薩克雷的最好的著作之一。
但有時亦兩可。如:
(23)Dickens’s American Notes were (was) published in 1842. 狄更斯著的《美國筆記》出版于1842年。
(24)The Canterbury Tales exist(s) in many manuscripts. 《坎特伯雷的故事》有許多手稿。
18.4 并列主語與動詞的一致
并列主語與動詞的一致有幾種情況。
1)當(dāng)“名詞+and+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)表示一種事物或一種概念時,應(yīng)用單形動詞。如:
(1)Fish and chips is a popular supper. 炸魚土豆片是一種很受歡迎的晚餐。
(2)The poet and writer has come. 那位詩人兼作家來了。
(3)Peter, and perhaps John, plays football. 彼得,也許還有約翰,常踢足球。
有時并列主語用單數(shù)或用復(fù)數(shù)動詞均可。如:
(4)Time and tide wait(s) for no man. 歲月不待人。
2)當(dāng)“each(every)+ 單形名詞+and+ each(every) + 單形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)應(yīng)分做兩個單獨結(jié)構(gòu)看待時,應(yīng)用單數(shù)動詞。如:
(5)Each book and each paper is found in its place. 每一本書,每一份文件,都可在一定的地方找到。
(6)Every hour and every minute is important. 每一小時,每一分鐘,都很寶貴。
3)在“名詞(代詞)+or+名詞(代詞)”結(jié)構(gòu)后的動詞一般應(yīng)與or后的名詞(代詞)一致。如:
(7)He or I am in the wrong. 他或是我錯了。
(8)He or his brothers were to blame. 應(yīng)該怪他或他的兄弟們。
4)“either+名詞+ or+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)要求動詞一般應(yīng)與or后的名詞一致。如:
(9)Either the shirts or the sweater is a good buy. 這些襯衣,要不就是這件毛衣,買上是會合算的。
(10)Either Tim or his brothers have to shovel the snow. 不是蒂姆,就是他的兄弟們必須把雪鏟去。
5)“not only+名詞+but(also)+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)要求動詞一般應(yīng)與but(also) 后的名詞一致。如:
(11)Not only the students but also their teacher is enjoying the film. 不僅學(xué)生們在欣賞這部影片,他們的老師也欣賞這部影片。
6)“neither+名詞+nor+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)要求動詞一般應(yīng)與nor 后的名詞一致。如:
(12)Neither you nor your brother is fault. 你和你的兄弟都不應(yīng)怪罪。
(13)Neither he nor they are mistaken. 他和他們都沒有錯。
18.5 “單形名詞+with或as well as等+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)與動詞一致
“單形名詞+with +名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)要求動詞一般應(yīng)與第一個名詞一致,即用單數(shù)動詞。如:
(1)A teacher, with his students, is seeing an English film. 一位教師帶著他的學(xué)生正在看一部英語影片。
(2)A woman with two children has come. 一位婦女帶著兩個孩子來了。
“名詞+ as well as+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)要求動詞一般應(yīng)與第一個名詞一致。如:
(3)The students as well as the teacher were present at the meeting. 學(xué)生和他們的老師出席了會議。
(4)I as well as they am ready to help you. 不僅他們愿意幫助你,我也愿意幫助你。
“名詞+added to+名詞” 結(jié)構(gòu)要求動詞一般應(yīng)與第一個名詞一致。如:
(5)The painting of M is constructed by leaning one half an M against a mirror. Reality added to its reflection makes the whole. 給M畫像的設(shè)計是讓他的一半身體靠在鏡上。所以整個畫像有一半是真實的,一半是鏡子反射的。
18.6 “表部分的名詞+of+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)與動詞的一致
“表部分的名詞+of+名詞”與動詞的一致有幾種情況。
1)“one+of+復(fù)形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)后的定語從句要求謂語動詞應(yīng)與復(fù)形名詞一致。如:
(1)This is one of the best books that have appeared. 這是所出版的最好書籍之一。(have與books一致)
但實際應(yīng)用中多與one一致。如:
(2)She’s one of those women who doesn’t know a thing about furniture. 她是絲毫不懂家具的那些婦女之一。
(3)Singing is one of the activities which generates the greatest enthusiasm. 唱歌是會激起最大熱情的活動之一。
2)“a pair+of+復(fù)形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)多要求用單數(shù)動詞,以整個的pair一致。如:
(4)A pair of gloves is a nice present. 一雙手套是一件很好的禮物。
(5)A pair of thieves were conspiring to rob us. 有兩個賊預(yù)謀盜竊我們的東西。
3)“(a)part+of+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)中,如名詞為單形,一般要求用單數(shù)動詞。如:
(6)(A )part of the story is not true. 這一則報道有一部分是不真實的。
如名詞為復(fù)形,一般要求用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(7)A part of the apples are bad. 一部分蘋果是壞的。
4)“a group+of+復(fù)形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)可要求用單數(shù)動詞,亦可用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。前者強調(diào)整體,后者強調(diào)各個組成部分。如:
(8)This group of chemicals behaves in the same way. 這一組化學(xué)物起同樣的作用。(強調(diào)group這一整體)
(9)This group of chemical behave in the same way. 這一組化學(xué)物都起同樣的作用。(強調(diào)group中的各成分)
類似group的集體名詞還有crowd(人群)、flock(羊群)、file(一列)等。
5)“a number+of+復(fù)形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)應(yīng)用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(10)A number of people were injured. 不少人受了傷。(亦可用number of,意義不變)
(11)A large number of people have come to see the exhibition. 許多人來看展覽會。(亦可用large number of而意義不變)
但也有人用單數(shù)名詞。如:
(12)A number of books was missing from the library. 圖書館有很多書不見了。
“the number+of+復(fù)形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)要求用單數(shù)動詞。如:
(13)The number of chairs in the room is ten. 屋內(nèi)椅子共有十把。
(14)The number of stamp-collectors is growing apace. 集郵者在迅速增加。
“an average (total)+of+復(fù)形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)要求用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(15)An average of 3000 letters a month are received by the newspaper’s office. 報館每月平均收到3000封信。
(16)A total of 3000 letters were received last month. 上月共收到3000封信。
“the average (total)+of+復(fù)形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu),要求用單數(shù)動詞。如:
(17)The average of letters received each month is 3000. 每月平均收到信件共3000封。
(18)The total of letters received last month was 3000. 上月收到信件共3000封。
6)“a lot (mass, heap等)+of+復(fù)形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)一般要求用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(19)A lot of people were out for Sunday. 許多人出來度星期日。(亦可用lots of代替a lot of)
(20)A mass of people were working there. 許多人正在那里勞動。(亦可用masses of代替a mass of)
(21)A heap of apples were seen in there. 那里看到有大量的蘋果。(亦可用heaps of代替a heap of)
“a lot (mass, heap等)+of+單形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)要求用單數(shù)動詞。如:
(22)A lot of money was spent for travel. 旅行花了許多錢。
7)“this kind (sort) of+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)一般要求用單數(shù)動詞。如:
(23)This kind of apple is sour. 這種蘋果是酸的。
如用復(fù)形名詞,則亦可用復(fù)數(shù)動詞,以強調(diào)名詞的復(fù)數(shù)概念。如:
(24)The kind of apples you mean are large and sour. 你說的那種蘋果又大又酸。
“these(those) kind+of+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)要求用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(25)These kind of apple(s) are sour. 這些種類的蘋果是酸的。
“what kind+of+單形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)要求用單數(shù)動詞。如:
(26)What kind of apple is sour? 什么種類的蘋果是酸的?
“what kinds+of+單形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)要求用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(27)What kinds of apple are sour? 哪些種類的蘋果是酸的?(這里的主語強調(diào)kinds,故須用復(fù)數(shù)動詞)
“these kinds+of+單(復(fù))形名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)強調(diào)“一種以上”,要求用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(28)These kinds of apple(s) are sour. 這些種類的蘋果是酸的。
8)“the rest (remainder)+of+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)要求何種動詞形式應(yīng)由名詞的數(shù)形而定。名詞如是單形,一般要求用單數(shù)動詞。如:
(29)The rest of the story needs no telling. 故事的其余部分就不必講下去了。
名詞如是復(fù)形,一般要求用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(30)He stayed at home and the rest of the boys were out at play. 他留在家里,其余的男孩都在外面玩耍。
9)“per cent+of+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)中如名詞為單形,一般要求用單數(shù)動詞。如:
(31)Thirty per cent of the liquor is alcohol. 這酒含百分之三十的酒精。
名詞如為復(fù)形,一般要求用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(32)Ten per cent of the apples are bad. 這些蘋果中有百分之十是壞的。
如強調(diào)per cent所表的抽象概念,即使后面是復(fù)形名詞,亦要求用單數(shù)動詞。如:
(33)Over 50 per cent of the loans is extended for 20 years. 有百分之五十多的貸款都為期20年。
10)“分?jǐn)?shù)+ of+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)中如名詞為單形,一般要求用單數(shù)動詞。如:
(34)Three-fourths of the surface of the earth is sea. 地球表面的四分之三是海水。(名詞surface是單形)
名詞如為復(fù)形,一般要求用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(35)Three-fourths of the people were illiterate. 四分之三的人是文盲。(名詞people是復(fù)形)
如強調(diào)分?jǐn)?shù)所表的抽象概念,則要求用單數(shù)動詞。如:
(36)Only about one-third of the class is going to make it next year. 班里明年會升級的人大約只有三分之一。(用單形動詞is是為了強調(diào)one-third所表的抽象概念。如用復(fù)形動詞were則指班里的三分之一成員)
有時動詞的形式與分?jǐn)?shù)本身的數(shù)形一致。如:
(37)Three-fourths of anybody’s fame are mere suggestion. 任何人的聲譽有四分之三不過是虛名。(復(fù)形動詞are與分?jǐn)?shù)復(fù)形three-fourths一致)
11)“most+of+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)要求用什么動詞一般皆由名詞的數(shù)形而定。單形名詞要求用單數(shù)動詞,復(fù)形名詞要求用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(38)Most of his time is spent traveling. 他大部分時間都在旅行。(單形名詞time用單數(shù)動詞is)
(39)Most of his students come from south China. 他的學(xué)生大都是南方人。(復(fù)形名詞students用復(fù)數(shù)動詞come)
most of之后如為集體名詞,要求動詞應(yīng)由該名詞指整體或指成員而定。如:
(40)Most of the population was young. 那里的居民大都年輕。(population指整體,故用單數(shù)動詞was)
(41)Most of the audience were college students. 觀眾大都是在學(xué)生。(audience指成員,故用復(fù)數(shù)動詞were)
“plenty+of+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)的用法與“most+of+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)相同。如:
(42)Plenty of space is needed. 需要大量的空間。(單形名詞要求用單數(shù)動詞)
(43)Plenty of chairs are needed. 需要許多椅子。(復(fù)形名詞要求用復(fù)數(shù)動詞)
12)“worth+of+名詞”結(jié)構(gòu)不論名詞是單形或復(fù)形,一般皆要求用單數(shù)動詞,與worth一致。如:
(44)The worth of this painting is estimated at a half million dollars. 這幅畫估計值50萬美元。(worth后接單形名詞painting)
(45)The worth of men like Galileo is not always understood while they are alive. 像伽利略這樣的人在世時并不總是被人理解的。(worth后接復(fù)形名詞men)
但當(dāng)worth表示金額時,其后的動詞往往與其前表金額的名詞的數(shù)形一致。如表金額的名詞是復(fù)形,其后常用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(46)Thousands of pounds’ worth of damage have been done to the apple crop. 蘋果收成損失以千鎊計。(代表金額的名詞pounds是復(fù)形,故用復(fù)數(shù)動詞have)
18.7 短語、從句或句子作主語與動詞的一致
短語、從句或句子作主語時,一般要求用單數(shù)動詞。如:
(1)No news is good news. 沒有消息便是好消息。(no news是名詞短語,用作主語)
(2)In the evening is best for me. 對我最適合是在晚上。(in the evening是介詞短語)
(3)Slow and steady wins the race. 慢而穩(wěn)者操勝券。(slow and steady是形容詞短語)
(4)Children interfering in their parents’ right to remarry has become a social problem. 子女干預(yù)父母再婚已成為一個社會問題。(主語是一個動名詞復(fù)合結(jié)構(gòu))
(5)Because they are dead languages is no reason why they should be ignored in academic circles. 不應(yīng)因它們是死的語言而就在學(xué)術(shù)界忽視它們。(主語是because引導(dǎo)的從句)
(6)“How do you do?” is not question but a greeting. “你好?”不是一個問題,而是一問候語。(主語是句子How do you do)
18.8 倒裝結(jié)構(gòu)中主語與動詞的一致
在倒裝結(jié)構(gòu)中,主語即使是復(fù)形名詞,往往也用單數(shù)動詞,尤其在非正式英語中。如:
(1)On the mother’s side comes teachers also one actor. 母系親屬中出了許多教師,也出了一位演員。
(2)Just then in the distance was heard the horns of two motor-cycles speeding swiftly in the direction of this very spot. 正值此時,從遠(yuǎn)處傳來了兩輛摩托車的警報聲,它們正向這個地方快速駛來。
有時在單數(shù)動詞后有一連串并列的名詞。如:
(3)Her face wore a puzzled, troubled, nervous look, in which was mingled fear, sorrow, depression, distrust, a trace of resentment and a trace of despair. 她的神色顯得不解、苦惱、不安,其中還交織著恐懼、憂傷、沮喪、不信任、一絲憤懣和一絲絕望。
在“there+is(was)”的結(jié)構(gòu)中,也??山訌?fù)形名詞,因為人們常常是先說出there is(was)后才想及后面的名詞的,但多用在口語中。如:
(4)There’s hundreds of people on the waiting list. 登記等候的有數(shù)百人。
(5)As for risks, there’s risks in pretty near everything you do in this world. 至于風(fēng)險,在這個世界上,不論你做什么事,幾乎都有風(fēng)險。
18.9 名詞化的形容詞和過去分詞作主語與動詞的一致
名詞化的形容詞和過去分詞作主語與動詞的一致應(yīng)決定于主語的數(shù)念。主語表單念,就要求單數(shù)動詞。如:
(1)The true is to be distinguished from the false. 真實應(yīng)與假相區(qū)別。(主語the true表單念)
(2)The accused was acquitted. 被告獲釋。(主語the accused表單念)
如表復(fù)念,則要求用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(3)The innocent are often deceived by the unscrupulous. 天真的人常為奸詐之徒所欺騙。(主語the innocent表復(fù)念)
(4)The dispossessed are demanding their rights. 被剝奪者在要求歸還他們的權(quán)利。(主語the dispossessed表復(fù)念)
有些名詞化的形容詞和過去分詞有復(fù)形,皆要求復(fù)數(shù)動詞。如:
(5)The Christians are believes in Christ. 基督徒就是基督的的信徒。
(6)The newlyweds are now spending their honeymoon abroad. 新婚夫婦現(xiàn)正在國外度蜜月。
瘋狂英語 英語語法 新概念英語 走遍美國 四級聽力 英語音標(biāo) 英語入門 發(fā)音 美語 四級 新東方 七年級 賴世雄 zero是什么意思阿克蘇地區(qū)華通公寓(塔中路30號)英語學(xué)習(xí)交流群