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majority作主语时谓语用单数还是复数

2017-05-16来源:和谐英语

majority作主语时谓语用单数还是复数

1. the majority表示“大多数”时,是集合名词;若单独用作主语,谓语动词可用单数(若强调整体)或复数(若强调个体)。如:

The majority has [have] seen the film. 多数人看过这部电影。

But the majority were [was] on Ben’s side. 但多数人都站在贝恩一边。

但是若单独用的 the majority后跟有复数表语,则谓语通常要用复数。如:

The majority are young people. 大多数是年轻人。

2. “the majority of+复数名词”用作主语时,谓语动词通常用复数,偶尔也可以用单数。如:

The majority of them are professional drivers. 他们大多是职业司机。

The majority of criminals are non-violent. 大多数罪犯是不使用暴力的。

The majority of students were [was] indifferent to the political meeting. 大多数学生对政治集会漠不关心。

3. “the majority of+集合名词”用作主语时,谓语动词可用单数(视为整体)或复数(考虑其个体)。如:

The vast majority of the population lives [live] in utter misery. 这里的绝大多数人生活在极度贫困之中。

4. “the majority of+不可数名词”用作主语时,谓语动词总是用单数。如:

The majority of the work has been finished. 大部分工作已完成。

The majority of the damage is easy to repair. 这次的损害大部分容易补救。

注:按传统语法,the majority of只用于修饰可数名词复数或具有复数意义的集合名词,但在现代英语中它也可用于修饰不可数名词。

5. “a majority of+复数名词”用作主语时,谓语动词通常用复数。如:

A majority of visitors have arrived. 大多数参观者已经到了。

A clear majority of voters were in favour of the motion. 绝大多数选民赞成这一动议