15. 主谓一致
主谓一致是指:
1) 语法形式上要一致,即单复数形式与谓语要一致。
2) 意义上要一致,即主语意义上的单复数要与谓语的单复数形式一致。
3) 就近原则,即谓语动词的单复形式取决于最靠近它的词语,
一般来说,不可数名词用动词单数,可数名词复数用动词复数。
There is much water in the thermos.
但当不可数名词前有表示数量的复数名词时,谓语动词用复数形式。
Ten thousand tons of coal were produced last year.
15.1 并列结构作主语时谓语用复数
Reading and writing are very important. 注意: 当主语由and连结时,如果它表示一个单一的概念,即指同一人或同一物时,谓语动词用单数,and 此时连接的两个词前只有一个冠词。
The iron and steel industry is very important to our life.
典型例题
The League secretary and monitor ___ asked to make a speech at the meeting.
A. is B. was C. are D. were
答案B. 注: 先从时态上考虑。这是过去发生的事情应用过去时,先排除A.,C.。本题易误选D,因为The League secretary and monitor 好象是两个人,但仔细辨别, monitor 前没有the,在英语中,当一人兼数职时只在第一个职务前加定冠词。后面的职务用and 相连。这样本题主语为一个人,所以应选B。