英文中的名詞及動詞等單詞不像我國文字没有變化, 它們都有單數和複數之變化. 所以, 語句中的主語與動詞的一致性常是學英文的年青學子被困擾的, 出錯較多的地方. 故此, 主語和賓語必須在詞形上一致, 我們要放多一點時間來仔細討論. 在英文中, 主語是單數, 該語句的動詞必須是單數. 主語是複數, 該語句的動詞必須是複數.
例如, 單數 複數
This peach is delicious. These peaches are delicious.
The canary sings all day. The canaries sing all day.
因為中國語言中很少在 ‘字’ 的上面加單數與複數的分別, 而是在代表主語的字前加上一個表示量的 ‘字’, 所以常常有學英文的年青朋友們被 “動詞第三人稱單數加 ‘s’ ” 所攪擾. 編輯者也深受其苦, 故一一仔細說明它們一致性的慣例如下 :
1. 主語和補足語(complement) ‘数’上有不同時: 動詞詞形依隨主語.
例如, Our only guide is the stars.
The stars are our only guide.
His food was fruit and goat-milk.
Fruit and goat-milk were his food.
2. One of those is, one of those who are, 在這些短句之後, 要看作者的意思決定.
例如, One of the boys is sick. He is one of the boys who are sick.
第一句所說的孩子雖多, 但只有一個生了病, 所以動詞用單數. 可是在後一句的情
形中, 有病的孩子顯而易見是有許多, 他只是其中的一個. 不過短語比較長的時候,
這一點很容易被忘記了的. 在下列各句中, 真正的邏輯上的主語都用黑體字表明. This is one of the best games that are ever played in Shanghai
One of the books he bought yesterday is torn. (He bought many, but one is torn).
He is one of those who always forget their engagements.
3. 複合主語 (compound subject) : 其動詞 ‘数’ 的詞形有下列幾種可能的情形 :
例如, 1.) Mother and children were kidnapped. (動詞一定是複數)
2.) Mother or child was kidnapped. (若所有主詞都是單, 其動詞一定是單數)
3.) Mother or children were kidnapped.
4.) A rabbit, a skunk, or a raccoon has been in the garden.
5.) Neither Dee nor her friends have seen the play.
第三例與第五例須加以注意, 碰到這種複合主語, 其動詞的 ‘數’ 的詞形根據隣近動詞的主詞的 ‘數’ 來變化. 下例亦是如此 :
There are one or two things that you must remember
4. 動詞在主語前的情況, 先要顧到主語. ──最普通的一種形式便是以there is 起頭的語句, 如 “ There is one thing”; 但 “There are a number of things.” 有時候覺得有些困難, 不過只要注意到真正的主語就不會弄錯. 因 ‘There is’ 和‘There are’ 這兩主語是虛假的, 在中文裡亦不多見.
5. Each, as well as, many a, more than one.──這些都是特別的例子. Each, many a, more than one 和單数名詞用在一起時, 差不多全用單数動詞. 至於附在as well as 之後的名詞, 應該完全劃開, 不可在討論這動詞的 ‘数’ 的時候加以攷慮.
例如, Many a man has been cheated by him.
He, as well as his room-mates, is suspected.
His room-mates, as well as he, are suspected.
作業三十六
試以括 弧內的動詞的恰當的現在時制詞形填入空格內:
I. Australia New Zealand
2. Both countries ＿＿ to the British Commonwealth . (belong)
3. New Zealand
4.) Neither the dictionary nor the thesaurus ＿＿on the shelf. (be)5. Neither my sister nor my parents ＿＿ to visit there soon. (plan)
名字, 公司名稱, 及集合名詞
當主語是書, 雜誌, 電影, 或歌的名稱時, 多般為單數動詞, 除非它所指的有關方面是多數, 則另當別論.
例如, The Birds was directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Pride and Prejudice is a novel by Jane Austen.
一些公司行號, 組識機構, 和國家都用單數動詞, 即或看起來像多數.
例如, Partridge and Hudson sells fine jewelry.
The United States
有些英文字看似複數, 但以單數使用, 故用單數動詞詞形.
例如, Physics interests me a great deal.
The news is broadcast every hour on the hour.
有些名詞永遠是複數, 故使用複數動詞詞形.
例如, Where are the scissors?
Harley's new pants are an amazing shade of yellow.
集合名詞作主語時, 若指整體, 語句的動詞應用單數. 若是指集合名詞的個體時, 其動詞則應該是用複數.
例如, The herd climbs the hills. (指整體)
The herd wander over the hills. (指個體)
The committee meets today. (指整體)
The committee were divided. (指個體)
重點提示 :
. 主語與語句中的動詞應該一致. 主語是單數, 該語句的動詞必須是單數. 主語是複
數, 該語句的動詞必須是複數.
. 複合主語用連詞 ‘and’ 連接, 動詞用複數. 若用 ‘or’ 或 ‘nor’連接, 用複數或單數動
詞, 便要根據隣近動詞的主詞的 ‘數’ 來變化.
. 集合名詞作主語時若指整體, 語句的動詞應用單數. 若是指集合名詞內的個體時,
其動詞則應該是用複數.
作業三十七
試以括 弧內的動詞的合適的現在時制詞形填入空格
2. His tie or socks ── red. (be)
3. His shoes or hat ── blue. (be)
4. Jeans ── quickly. (fade)
5. Civics ── on my schedule. (be)
6. The class ── different opinions. ( express)
7. The class ── daily. (meet)
8. ── Hal eat breakfast? (Do)
作業三十八
用下列的短句為主語配合適當的動詞的現在時制造句 :
9. either a dog or a cat 10. neither lettuce nor peas 11. The Prince and the Pauper
12. the United States 13. the mouse and the spider
請牢記: 句子要簡單明暸 (Omit needless words).
務必做作業, 請把作業及問題, 寄到下列郵箱地址.
swlei2011@gmail.com
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