英语主谓一致的三个原则

英语主谓一致的三个原则

1. 形式一致的原则

一般说来，当作主语的名词或代词是第三人称单数时，谓语动词就用单数形式；当作主语的名词或代词是复数时，谓语动词就复数形式：如：

(1) He likes skating in winter. 他喜欢冬天滑冰。

(2) Alice reads much. 艾利斯看了很多书。

(3)They don’t live here. 他们不住这里。

2. 意义一致的原则

英语中，有些名词或代词形式上是单数，而意义上可能是复数，这时，谓语动词的形式就须依据名词或代词的意义决定。如：

(1) People there were very glad to see our team win the match. 在那里的人们看到我们队赢了比赛时都非常高兴。

(2) His family were watching TV when I got to his home. 我到他家时，他家的人在看电视。

(3) Our class are working hard to make ours a good class. 我们班的同学都在努力工作以便是我们班成为优秀班。

3. 邻近一致的原则

英语中，有时几个名词或代词有某些此连接起来一起作句子的主语，此时，谓语动词的形式就须有与之最接近的名词或代词的人称和数决定。如：

(1) There is a desk and five chairs in his room. 他房间里有一张办公桌和五把椅子。

(2) There are five chairs and a desk in his room. 他房间里有五把椅子和一张办公桌。

(3) Either you or Li Lei is going to be sent there. 要么是你要么是李蕾将被派到那里去。

(4) Are either you or Li Lei going to be sent there. 是你将被派到那里去还是李蕾将被派到那里去

几个容易弄错的主谓一致问题

1.“many a +名词”和“more than one +名词”作主语

谓语动词的数通常用单数(即遵循语法一致的原则)：

Many a child was playing there. 很多小孩在那儿玩。

More than one student has failed the exam. 不止一个学生考试未及格。

2. each 用于复数名词后作同位语

此时谓语动词用复数：

They each have an English-Chinese dictionary. 他们每人都有一本英汉词典。

The young people each carry a big bag. 这些年轻人个个背着一个大袋子。

3. 主语后接in addition to, with, along with, together with, except, but等介词

其后的动词形式取决介词前主语：

Nothing but trees was to be seen. 除了树木之外什么也看不见。

No one except my parents knows anything about this. 除我父母外没人知道此事。

Jim, together with his classmates, has seen the film. 吉姆和他的同学都看过这部电影。

4. means作主语

名词means(方法)单数与复数同形，用作主语时，其谓语的单复数要视具体含义而定(尤其注意其前的修饰语)：

These means are very good. 这些方法很好。

Such a means is really unpleasant. 这样的方法确实是令人不愉快。

若没有特定的修饰语或语境，则用单数或复数谓语均可：

There is [are] no good means. 没有好的方法。

Are [Is] there any other means of doing it 做这事还有其他的什么办法吗

不定代词作主语时的主谓一致问题

1. someone, anyone等作主语时

someone, anyone, no one, everyone, something, nothing等复合不定代词作主语，谓语动词用单数：

Someone is asking to see you. 有人找你。

Nobody is to blame for it. 这谁也不怨。

No one wants to read such books. 没有人想看那样的书。

2. all 作主语时

若指人，谓语通常用复数；若指事物或现象，谓语通常用单数：

All have gone home. 大家都走了。

All that glitters is not gold. 发亮的不一定都是金子。

比较：

All is silent. 万籁俱寂。(指现象)

All are silent. 人人都沉默不语。(指具体的人)

【注意】

若是“all of+名词”作主语，则谓语动词与其中名词的数保持一致。

3. either和neither作主语时

若是单独作主语，谓语通常用单数：

Neither was satisfactory. 两个都不令人满意。

The two guests have arrived, and either is welcome. 两位客人都到了，哪一位都受欢迎。

【注意】

若是“either [neither] of+名词”作主语，则其后的谓语动词可用单数(正式文体)或复数(非正式文体)：

Neither of the two computers is [are] cheap. 这两台电脑都不便宜。

Is [Are] either of the boys ready 两个男孩都准备好了吗

I don’t think either of them is [are] at home. 我想他们俩个都会不在家。

4. each作主语或修饰主语时

单独用作主语(或修饰主语)，谓语用单数:

Each student has his own desk. 每个学生都有自己的课桌。

Two boys entered. Each was carrying a suitcase. 两个男孩进来，每人提着一只箱子。

【注意】

(1)两个或多个“each＋单数名词”结构并列作主语时, 谓语用单数。

(2)“each of＋复数名词或代词”用作主语, 谓语一般要用单数