106 of結構作主語時謂語動詞的單復數形式 Track 103
這類情況較為復雜,且不總是那么具有規(guī)律性,基本可歸納如下:
(1)像kind,type,sort,class,species,breed,variety,form,brand等表示類別的名詞,總的規(guī)律是:句子謂語的單復數與of前面的名詞形式保持一致
例句
a. What kind of rice is served in that restaurant?
b. This kind of apple is sour.
c. The kind of apples is sour.
d. Apples of this kind are sour.
e. What kinds of rice are served in that restaurant?
(2) “a pair of + 復數名詞”看作整體,作主語時謂語用單數形式
例句
a. A pair of gloves/glasses is on the table.
但是:
b. Five pairs of gloves are on sale.
(3) “the + 最高級 + of +名詞復數”作主語時,謂語用單數形式
例句
The most elaborate of all bird nests is the large, doomed communal structure built by social weaverbirds.
(4) “a number of / an average of / a total of +名詞復數”作主語時,謂語用復數形式,強調數量
但“the number/average/total of +名詞復數”強調整體,作主語時,謂語用單數形式。
例句
a. A total of ten thousand dollars were donated last month.
b. An average of ten thousand letters a day are sent by this post office.
c. The total of dollars donated last month was 100,000 dollars.
d. The total of 10 thousand dollars donated last month was sent to the flood-stricken areas.
e. It is said that the average number of moles a person has is fourteen. Moles can appear on almost any part of the body, including the scalp.
據說,人體黑痣的平均數目在14顆左右,而且人體的任何部位都可能長痣,甚至是頭皮里。
(5)“A part of +單數名詞”作主語時,謂語使用單數形式;“A partof +復數名詞”作主語時,謂語用復數形式
類似的詞組還有:the rest/remainder of,most of,plenty of,分數+of,百分數+ of等等。它們作主語時,謂語的數依of后的名詞形式而定,名詞是單數形式,則謂語也為單數形式;名詞若是復數形式,謂語亦為復數形式。
例句
a. A part of the apple is bad.
b. A part of the apples are bad.
c. Three-fourths of the surface of the earth is covered with water.
d. A third of his composition has been corrected.
e. A third of their compositions have been corrected.
f.Three-fourths of the people are illiterate.