英语语法 主谓一致

第一讲主谓一致

“一致”（Concord 或Agreement）是指句子成分之间词语之间在语法形式上的协调关系。主要有主语与动词的一致，主语与补语的一致，限定词与名词中心词的一致，人称代词与并列和非并列先行词的一致，名词与名词或代词的一致。“主谓一致”是指主语和谓语动词之间在人称和数的方面的一致关系，这又叫做“主——动一致”（Subject——verb Concord）。

1. 主谓一致三原则

主语和随后的动词(词组)，即谓语动词之间的一致关系常为三种不同的原则所支配，即语法一致原则(Grammar Concord)，意义一致原则(Notional Concord)和就近原则(Principle of Proximity)。

1.1 语法一致

指作主语的名词中心词是复数，动词就用复数形式；如果名词中心词是单数名词或不可数名词，动词就用单数形式。例如：

Both boys have their own merits.

In my heart are peace and goodwill.

The elevator works very well.

Much effort is wasted.

1.2 意义∕概念一直

指主语和动词的一致关系并非取决于语法上的单、复数形式，而是取决于主语的单、复数意义。有时主语在语法形式上并非复数，但有复数意义，随后的动词就用复数；主语在语法形式上是复数，而在意义上可视为单数，随后的动词用单数。例如：The jury has asked more time.

The jury are unable to agree.

Fifty minutes isn’t enough time to finish this test.

“ Senior citizens” means people over sixty.

1.3 就近原则

指谓语动词的单、复数形式取决于最靠近它的词语的单、复数形式，而不是与充当主语的名词短语中心词相一致。例如：

Not just the students but even their teacher is enjoying the film.

Neither Julia nor I am going.

Only one out of five were present.

﹡No one except his own supporters agree with him.

但是在实际应用中，语法一致原则与其他两个原则经常发生矛盾，这时语法一致是应遵循的根本原则。下面从几个容易引起疑难问题的方面来进一步阐述主谓一致关系。

2. 并列主语和谓语动词的一致

2.1 and 连接的并列主语与谓语动词的一致

a. 由and 或both … and 连接的并列结构作主语，指两个或两个以上的人或物，谓语动词用复数。例如：

The food and ( the ) textile industry depend mainly on agriculture for raw material.

To mean to do something and to actually do something are two different things.

Rain, hail and wind have caused an estimated $22,000 damage to crops and livestock.

War and peace are alternatives between which man must constantly choose.

b. 作主语的并列结构表示单数意义，谓语动词用单数。这时并列主语前常只有一个冠词或限定词，或者没有冠词或限定词。例如：

The hammer and sickle was flying from the flagpole.

The iron and steel industry plays an important part in our national economy.

My colleague and friend is near death’s door.

The Bat and Ball sells good beer.

War and peace is a constant theme.

Ham and egg is a good breakfast.

Fish and chips (a dish of food) is very popular in Norway.

Whisky and soda (a drink) is my favourite drink.

Peaches and cream is delicious.

To try and fail is better than not try at all.

c. 有一些由and连接的并列主语，其单、复数意义不很明确，只能根据上下文判定。例如：

A friend and helper was / were standing nearby.

The secretary and accountant of the company was / were present.

His aged servant and the subsequent editor of his collected papers was / were with him at his death bed.

d. 有的并列主语(常为抽象名词)前只有一个或者没有冠词或限定词，虽然表示单一概念，但既可接单数动词，又可接复数动词。例如：

Her calmness and confidence is / are astonishing.

Time and tide waits / wait for no man.

Law and order has / have been established.

The safety and happiness of the whole depen ds / depend on each individual’s effort.

e. 有时并列主语中省略了重复的并列名词、修饰语，或者只有一个冠词，但它们不能表示结合成一体的概念，只能被视为不同事物或个体，只能接复数动词。例如：Good ( taste ) and bad taste are inculcated by example.