薄冰英語語法 第十八章 數(shù)的一致(1-9)

第十八章 數(shù)的一致

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。(復形名詞主語要求復數(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。英國和美國的習慣也不完全一樣。英國較多用復數(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”結構雖有復念，習慣上多要求單數(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+復形名詞+than one”結構一般卻多要求復數(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”結構多要求單數(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+復形名詞”結構則要求復數(shù)動詞。如：

(12)One or two reasons were suggested. 提出一兩條理由。

“many a+單形名詞”結構要求單數(shù)動詞，這種結構多用于正式文體。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”結構中，單數(shù)名詞如有復念(即代表兩個事物)，則應用復數(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。

18.3 復形名詞與動詞的一致

復形名詞(大多以s結尾)在句中作主語要求復數(shù)動詞。

1)含雙數(shù)概念的復形名詞要求復數(shù)動詞。如：

(1)Are your kitchen scales accurate? 你的家用天平準嗎?

(2)How much are those binoculars? 那架雙筒望遠鏡值多少錢?

2)含復數(shù)概念的復形名詞要求復數(shù)動詞。如：

(3)The customs were paid. 關稅已付。

(4)My funds are a bit low at present. 我的資金現(xiàn)在不多。

3)含單數(shù)概念的復形名詞要求單數(shù)動詞。如：

(5)His works is rather small. 他的工廠相當小。

(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結尾表學科的復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)計學是這所職業(yè)學校的一門主要學科。

但這類名詞運用于實際時，則往往要求復數(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)計學在這一事例上不說明問題。

7)以’s結尾的某些表疾病的復形名詞，要求單數(shù)動詞。如：

(17)German measles is a dangerous disease for pregnant women. 風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所感染的疾病，經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)動詞或復數(shù)動詞。如：

(19)Mumps is (are) fairly rare in adults. 腮腺炎在成年人中相當罕見的。

8)有些復形名詞既可用單數(shù)動詞，亦可用復數(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“名詞+and+名詞”結構表示一種事物或一種概念時，應用單形動詞。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)或用復數(shù)動詞均可。如：

(4)Time and tide wait(s) for no man. 歲月不待人。

2)當“each(every)+ 單形名詞+and+ each(every) + 單形名詞”結構應分做兩個單獨結構看待時，應用單數(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)”結構后的動詞一般應與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. 應該怪他或他的兄弟們。

4)“either+名詞+ or+名詞”結構要求動詞一般應與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”結構要求動詞一般應與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”結構要求動詞一般應與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”結構與動詞一致

“單形名詞+with +名詞”結構要求動詞一般應與第一個名詞一致，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”結構要求動詞一般應與第一個名詞一致。如：

(3)The students as well as the teacher were present at the meeting. 學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” 結構要求動詞一般應與第一個名詞一致。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”結構與動詞的一致

“表部分的名詞+of+名詞”與動詞的一致有幾種情況。

1)“one+of+復形名詞”結構后的定語從句要求謂語動詞應與復形名詞一致。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+復形名詞”結構多要求用單數(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. 有兩個賊預謀盜竊我們的東西。

3)“(a)part+of+名詞”結構中，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。

如名詞為復形，一般要求用復數(shù)動詞。如：

(7)A part of the apples are bad. 一部分蘋果是壞的。

4)“a group+of+復形名詞”結構可要求用單數(shù)動詞，亦可用復數(shù)動詞。前者強調整體，后者強調各個組成部分。如：

(8)This group of chemicals behaves in the same way. 這一組化學物起同樣的作用。(強調group這一整體)

(9)This group of chemical behave in the same way. 這一組化學物都起同樣的作用。(強調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+復形名詞”結構應用復數(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+復形名詞”結構要求用單數(shù)動詞。如：

(13)The number of chairs in the room is ten. 屋內椅子共有十把。

(14)The number of stamp-collectors is growing apace. 集郵者在迅速增加。

“an average (total)+of+復形名詞”結構要求用復數(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+復形名詞”結構，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+復形名詞”結構一般要求用復數(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”結構要求用單數(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”結構一般要求用單數(shù)動詞。如：

(23)This kind of apple is sour. 這種蘋果是酸的。

如用復形名詞，則亦可用復數(shù)動詞，以強調名詞的復數(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”結構要求用復數(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”結構要求用單數(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”結構要求用復數(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kinds，故須用復數(shù)動詞)

“these kinds+of+單(復)形名詞”結構強調“一種以上”，要求用復數(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”結構要求何種動詞形式應由名詞的數(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。

名詞如是復形，一般要求用復數(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”結構中如名詞為單形，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。

名詞如為復形，一般要求用復數(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per cent所表的抽象概念，即使后面是復形名詞，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)“分數(shù)+ of+名詞”結構中如名詞為單形，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)

名詞如為復形，一般要求用復數(shù)動詞。如：

(35)Three-fourths of the people were illiterate. 四分之三的人是文盲。(名詞people是復形)

如強調分數(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one-third所表的抽象概念。如用復形動詞were則指班里的三分之一成員)

有時動詞的形式與分數(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。(復形動詞are與分數(shù)復形three-fourths一致)

11)“most+of+名詞”結構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，復形名詞要求用復數(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. 他的學生大都是南方人。(復形名詞students用復數(shù)動詞come)

most of之后如為集體名詞，要求動詞應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. 觀眾大都是在學生。(audience指成員，故用復數(shù)動詞were)

“plenty+of+名詞”結構的用法與“most+of+名詞”結構相同。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。(復形名詞要求用復數(shù)動詞)

12)“worth+of+名詞”結構不論名詞是單形或復形，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后接復形名詞men)

但當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形，其后常用復數(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是復形，故用復數(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. 子女干預父母再婚已成為一個社會問題。(主語是一個動名詞復合結構)

(5)Because they are dead languages is no reason why they should be ignored in academic circles. 不應因它們是死的語言而就在學術界忽視它們。(主語是because引導的從句)

(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 倒裝結構中主語與動詞的一致

在倒裝結構中，主語即使是復形名詞，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)”的結構中，也常可接復形名詞，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. 至于風險，在這個世界上，不論你做什么事，幾乎都有風險。

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)

如表復念，則要求用復數(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表復念)

(4)The dispossessed are demanding their rights. 被剝奪者在要求歸還他們的權利。(主語the dispossessed表復念)

有些名詞化的形容詞和過去分詞有復形，皆要求復數(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。