初级英语语法重点、考点与难点(13)

但是有些主语由于本身具有单数和复数两种可能, 它的谓语到底用单数还是复数, 要看具体的语境(多数情况是看其后面词语的单复数)：

1. a. Who is your brother? 谁是你的兄弟?

b. Who are your brothers? 哪些是你的兄弟?

2. a. What he said is quite correct. 他所说的完全 正确。

b. What he left me are only a few old books. 他 给我留下的只是几本旧书。

4. 集合名词作主语, 谓语的数如何确定

1. His family ______ a small one.

2. His family ______ fat and short.

A. is, is                    B. are, are               C. is, are                  D. are, is

此题应选C。family 是一个集合名词, 具有单数(侧重指整体)和复数(侧重指个体)两种可能。 类似这种用法的词主要的有：team(队, 队员), class(班, 班上的全体学生), crowd(人群), government(政府), crew(乘务员), committee(委员会, 委员们), audience(听众)等：

1. a. This class consists of 45 students. Mr Green

teaches it. 这个班45个学生, 由格林先生教。

b. This class are all diligent. Mr Green teaches them. 这个班的学生都很用功, 由格林先生教。

2. a. The team is the best in the league. 这个队在 联赛中打得最好。

b. The football team are having baths. 足球队队 员们在洗澡。

3. a. It was late, but the audience was increasing. 时间很迟了, 但听众人数却在增加。

b. The audience were all moved to tears. 听众都 感动得流了泪。

但是并不是所有的集合名词都具有以上两种用法：

1. 有的集合名词总是用作单数(不可数)：clothing 衣服, poetry 诗歌, baggage / luggage 行李, furniture 家具, machinery 机械, scenery 景色, jewellery 珠宝 等

2. 有的集合名词总是表示复数意义(但不用复数形式)：

people 人, police 警察, cattle 牲口等

5. 这类结构的谓语应与哪个主语保持一致

A library wit five thousand books ______ to the nation as a gift.

A. is offered             B. has offered          C. are offered          D. have offered

此题应选A。用连词and连接的两个并列主语, 其谓语要用复数, 但是若主语后跟有with, like, but, except, besides, including, together with, along with, as well as, morethan, no less than, rather than等连接的另一个名词, 其谓通常要与前面一个主语保持一致：