couple作主语时的主谓一致问题

couple作主语时的主谓一致问题

couple表示“夫妇”“夫妻”且用作主语时，谓语动词可用单数（视为整体，尤其是当有each, every, only one等修饰时）或复数（考虑其个体）。如：

The couple were married last week. 这一对夫妇是上星期结的婚。

Each couple was asked to complete a form. 要求每对夫妇填一张表。

有时语境上不明确强调个体还是整体，则用单数或复数均可：

The couple is [are] spending its [their] honeymoon. 这对新婚夫妻在度蜜月。

另外，couple还可表示“一些”“几个”，此时表示复数意义，用作主语时，谓语动词要用复数。如：

我的几个朋友准备开办一个旅行社。

误：A couple of my friends is going to open a travel agency.

正：A couple of my friends are going to open a travel agency.