主谓一致指主语和谓语动词之间在"人称"和"数"方面的一致关系,又叫"主动一致"。处理主谓一致关系必须遵循:语法一致,意义一致,毗邻一致三条原则。例如:
Two girls were standing on the corner.(语法一致)
The government have asked the country to decide by a vote.(意义一致)
Either my brothers or my father is coming.(毗邻一致)
本文着重讨论英语中what分句、关系分句、分裂句和存在句中的主谓一致等问题。
1.what 分句的主谓一致
what 引导的分句作主语时,谓语动词既可用单数形式,也可用复数形式。
1)如果what分句指的是抽象概念或某一具体事物,谓语动词要用单数形式。例如:
What is beautiful is not always good.漂亮的并不总是好的。
What he said just now seems untrue.他刚才说的似乎不是真的。
What the boy wants is a toy car.这孩子想要的是一辆玩具车。
2)如果what分句指的是两个或两个以上的东西或者what=those things which,谓语动词要用复数形式。例如:
What I want to buy are fish and chicken.我想要买的是鱼和肉。
What are often regarded as poisonous
fungi are sometimes safely edible.一些常认为有毒的菌类有时都可以放心地食用。
2.关系分句中主谓一致
关系分句中,关系代词作主语时,谓
语动词和先行词的人称、数一致。例如:
I ,who am your friend ,will try my best to help you.我作为你的朋友会尽力帮助你的。
The astronauts who are reported to be very cheerful,are expected to land on the moon shortly.据说,那些兴高采烈的宇航员们可望不久登上月球。
The government which promises to cut taxes will be popular.保证减税的政府将会得人心。
在"one of+复数名词+关系分句"结构中,关系分词中动词通常依照语法一致原则用复数形式。
This is one of the best novels that have appeared this year.这是今年出版的最佳小说之一。
Mr.Gilman is one of those men who appear to be friendly;however,it is hard to deal with him.吉尔曼先生属于那些表面上对人友好的人;实际上很难和他打交道。
但如果在这类结构之前有定冠词 the或者有the only等限定词和强调词时,关系分词动词形式依one而定,用单数。
例如:
Tom is the only one of the staff members who is going to be transferred.汤姆是工作人员中唯一将调动工作的人。
He is the only one of those boys who was given a prize.他是这些孩子中唯一受到奖励的人。
3.分裂句中的主谓一致
在分裂句中"It is......that/who一分句"中的动词形式通常依先行项而定。例如:
It is Jim who is going to do it.是吉姆去做这项工作。
It is I who am to blame.应受责备的是我。
但在非正式语体中,此分裂句中心成分可用宾格代词me,这时,随后的 that一分句动词通常用第三人称单数。例如:
It is me that is to blame.
It is me that was injured in the accident.在事故中受伤的是我。
4.存在句中的主谓一致
在存在句中,谓语动词与其后面的主语一致。一般说来,主语是单数,动词也用单数,主语是复数,动词也是用复数。例如:There is a big lake in the centre of the city.城市的中心有一个大湖。
There are three rooms left.还剩三间房。
当用作主语的并列结构是物质名词或抽象名词时,谓语动词用单数形式。
例如:
There is bread and milk for breakfast.早餐有牛奶和面包。
There was singing and laughing in the opposite room.对门屋里有说有笑。
主谓一致关系对英语学习者来说,掌握上有一定的困难,须多多练习。