1.主謂一致的三條原則

(1)語法一致，即在語法形式上取得一致。

Human beings enjoy learning.

Everybody’s understanding is incomplete.

(2)意義一致，即根據(jù)意義來處理一致關(guān)系。

The people there are fighting for the independence of their country.

Ten dollars was a lot of money at that time.

(3)就近原則，即謂語動詞的單、復(fù)數(shù)形式取決于最靠近它的詞語。

There is a pen,two pencils and an eraser in the pencil box.

Neither the boy nor his teachers know the answer.

2.集體名詞作主語時與動詞的一致

(1)當(dāng)主語為furniture,equipment,machinery等詞時，謂語動詞通常用單數(shù)。

The furniture in that shop is all made in China.

Office equipment is very expensive nowadays.

(2)集體名詞如people,cattle,police,poultry等往往作復(fù)數(shù)用。

Some people drive madly in this country.

Many cattle have died because of the flood.

(3)family,government,class,committee,audience,team,public等詞被視作一個整體時，其后的動詞用單數(shù);被視為構(gòu)成整體的個體時，其后的動詞則為復(fù)數(shù)。

His family is a happy one.

His family are all interested in stampcollecting

3.并列主語與動詞的一致

(1)當(dāng)“名詞+名詞”表示一種事物時，用單數(shù)形式。

Bacon and eggs is a very popular British breakfast.

(2)當(dāng)主語是由and,both...and連接的并列結(jié)構(gòu)時，如果主語所指的不是一種事物，動詞則用復(fù)數(shù)形式。

Jack and Mary are in love with each other.

Both Tom and John are absent today.

(3)在由or 或 nor 連接的并列結(jié)構(gòu)中，動詞單、復(fù)數(shù)形式一般與or 或 nor 后面的名詞或代詞保持一致。

He or his brothers are to blame for this.

Neither she nor you are mistaken.

(4)not only...but also 連接的結(jié)構(gòu)作主語時，動詞的單、復(fù)數(shù)形式依據(jù) but also 后的名詞或代詞。

Not only Fred but also his parents love this small pet dog.

Not only the boys but also their mother is very ill.

SubjectVerb Agreement(Ⅱ)