each, either, neither和由some, any, no, every構成的復合代詞,都作單數看待.
Each of us has something to say.
Is everybody ready?
Somebody is using the phone.
Neither of us has gone through regular training.
Has either of them told you?
some, few, both, many 等作復數
some 可后接復數,也可接單數,表示某一.
none作復數看待時較多,但也有時作單數看待,主要看說話人腦中聯(lián)系想到的是復數還是單數概念, 但none 在代表不可數的東西時總是看作單數:
None of the books are easy enough for us
None of us seem to have thought of it.
None (= not a single one) of us has got a camera.
None (= nobody) has felt it more keenly than she did.
None of this worries me.
all 和most 可后接復數,也可接不可數名詞 (all of the…, most of the …), 動詞用單數.
由and 或 both… and 連接名詞詞組時, 后用復數; 由not only…but (also), either…or, neither…nor或 or 連接的并列主語, 謂語通常和最鄰近的主語一致.
Not only the switches but also the old writing has been changed.
My sister or my brother is likely to be at home.
Either you or Mr Yang is to do the work.
Neither my wife nor I myself am able to persuade my daughter to change her mind.
如果一個句子是由there 或here引導, 而主語又不止一個, 謂語通常也和最鄰近的那個主語一致.
There was carved in the board a dragon and a phoenix.
Here is a pen, a few envelopes and some paper for you.
people, police, cattle, poultry (家禽), militia (民兵) 等通常都用作復數.
Cattle are grazing on the pasture.
The police are looking for him.
有些集體名詞有時作單數看待, 有時作復數看待, 主要根據意思來決定.
His family isn’t very large.
His family are all music lovers.
The committee meets twice a month.
The committee are divided in opinion.
The audience was enormous.
The audience were greatly moved at the words.
有些名詞單復數同形, 可根據意思決定謂語動詞的數:
This new series is beginning next month.
These new series are beginning next month.
This species is now extinct.
These species are now extinct.
表示時間, 重量, 長度, 價值等的名詞, 盡管仍是復數形式, 如果作整體看待, 動詞也可用單數形式 (當然用復數動詞也是可以的):
Three weeks was allowed for making the necessary preparations.
One hundred li was covered in a single night.
