主谓一致(Subject-Verb Agreement)是英语语法中的一个重要原则,指的是句子中的主语和谓语动词在人称和数上必须保持一致。
1. 基本规则
- 单数主语:单数主语后面跟单数谓语动词。
- 复数主语:复数主语后面跟复数谓语动词。
例子:
- Single subject: The cat eats fish.(猫吃鱼。)
- Plural subject: The cats eat fish.(猫吃鱼。)
2. 集合名词
集合名词(如 family, team, group, committee)可以被视为单数或复数,具体取决于上下文。
- 视为单数:当集合名词作为一个整体时,谓语动词用单数。
- 视为复数:当集合名词表示其成员个体时,谓语动词用复数。
例子:
- Single unit: The family is going on vacation.(家庭要去度假。)
- Multiple members: The family are arguing about where to go.(家庭成员在争论去哪里。)
3. 不定代词
不定代词(如 each, every, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, no one, nobody)通常被视为单数。
例子:
- Each student has a book.(每个学生都有一本书。)
- Everyone is here.(每个人都在这里。)
4. 复合主语
当主语由两个或多个名词或代词通过连词(如 and, or, nor)连接时,谓语动词的数取决于主语的组合。
- and 连接:通常视为复数。
- or, nor 连接:谓语动词与最近的主语保持一致。
例子:
- And connection: John and Mary are going to the store.(约翰和玛丽要去商店。)
- Or connection: Either John or Mary is going to the store.(要么约翰要么玛丽要去商店。)
- Nor connection: Neither the teacher nor the students know the answer.(老师和学生都不知道答案。)
5. 特殊主语
有些特殊的主语形式需要注意:
- 分数和百分比:谓语动词的数取决于所指的对象。
- 集体名词:如前面所述,可以视为单数或复数。
- 不定式和动名词:通常视为单数。
- there be 结构:谓语动词与最近的主语保持一致。
例子:
- Fraction: One-third of the students are absent.(三分之一的学生缺席。)
- Percentage: Fifty percent of the work is done.(百分之五十的工作已经完成。)
- Infinitive: To err is human.(犯错是人之常情。)
- Gerund: Running is good for health.(跑步有益健康。)
- There be: There is a book and two pens on the table.(桌子上有一本书和两支笔。)
6. 倒装句
在倒装句中,主语和谓语的位置可能会颠倒,但主谓一致的原则依然适用。
例子:
- Inversion: Here comes the bus.(公交车来了。)
- Question: Who is there?(谁在那里?)
7. 介词短语
介词短语(如 of, with, as well as, along with, together with, including, except, besides)不影响主语的数。
例子:
- With: The teacher, with his students, is going to the conference.(老师和他的学生要去参加会议。)
- Including: The package, including all the accessories, arrives tomorrow.(包裹,包括所有附件,明天到达。)
8. 虚拟语气中的主谓一致
在虚拟语气中,主谓一致的原则有时会有所变化,特别是使用 "were" 时。
例子:
- Wish: I wish I were taller.(我希望我更高。)
- If clause: If I were you, I would accept the offer.(如果我是你,我会接受这个提议。)