（1）人稱和數(shù)（Person and Number）

1. 動詞的人稱和數(shù)必須與其主語（Subject）一致，即主語為單數(shù)時，動詞也必須是單數(shù)，例如：The girl smiles. 主語為復(fù)數(shù)時，動詞也必須是復(fù)數(shù)，例如：“The girls smile. ”。

一切名詞都為第三人稱（the third person），人稱代詞除 I、we（第一人稱）、（thou）、you（第二人稱）之外，亦概為第三人稱。動詞的人稱，必須與主語一致；故 I、we、you 以外的一切主語，其動詞概為第三人稱。

thou 本為第二人稱單數(shù)，但現(xiàn)在普遍不用了；現(xiàn)在即使指的只是一個人也用 you，而其動詞亦用復(fù)數(shù)，如：You、my boy、are playing too much.

練習(xí)題（1）

A. 將下列句中之 is、am 改為復(fù)數(shù)（注意其主語亦必須改）：

1. He is here.

2. The gate is locked.

3. I am very tired.

4. Where is he going？

5. I am very sorry for it.

6. My book is lost.

7. The fish is swimming.

8. My foot is sore.

9. My tooth is aching.

10. The child is happy.

B. 將 was 改為復(fù)數(shù)：

1. A sheep was grazing here.

2. That was a cool valley.

3. The child was asleep.

4. The egg was cracked.

5. When was I admitted？

6. How old was he？

7. A deer was in the wood.

8. A goose was standing there.

9. There was no proof.

10. A wolf was seen there.

C. 將 are 改為單數(shù)：

1. The loaves are baked.

2. The rats are caught.

3. No boxes are here.

4. Where are the boxes？

5. Flies are very harmful.

6. We are very tired.

7. The oxen are resting.

8. Why are they so careless？

9. We are fond of play.

10. Birds are roosting.

D. 將 were 改為單數(shù)：

1. Some men were hurt.

2. Were the thieves caught？

3. The horses’ tails were cut.

4. These mice were caught.

5. The geese were not found.

6. The ponies were sent away.

7. The loaves were served up.

8. The ladies were seated.

9. There were five girls in this class.

10. Here were the houses.

E. 將 have、has 改為復(fù)數(shù)：

1. He has long been gone.

2. Have I seen you before？

3. Has the cat been found？

4. The thief has been caught.

5. I have done my best.

6. The glass has been broken.

7. The roof has been mended.

8. The loaf has been cut.

9. The wolf has been shot.

10. The mouse has run away.

F. 將 have 改為單數(shù)：

1. The geese have been found.

2. My teeth have been aching.

3. His sons have left him.

4. We have left school.

5. The oxen have come back.

6. We have arrived.

7. The deer have fled.

8. The birds have flown.

9. The sheep have been lost.

10. My feet have been in pain.

G. 將 do、does 改為復(fù)數(shù)：

1. I do not like him.

2. He does not like me.

3. Does the boy work hard？

4. The boy does not know me.

5. A goose does not fly.

6. Does my friend know me？

7. Does the fire burn well？

8. He does not learn much.

9. Does he keep a dog？

10. The man does not work.

H. 將 do 改為單數(shù)：

1. We do not go today.

2. Do they keep a horse？

3. They keep a horse；so do we.

4. We do not understand you.

5. They do not go to school.

6. Do they wish to see me？

7. Wolves do not come here.

8. Our cows do not thrive.

9. We do not see you often.

10. We do not want your help.

2. 兩個單數(shù)主語用 and 連接起來時，則動詞為復(fù)數(shù)；但兩主語之前若有 each、every 時，則動詞用單數(shù)：

例：Time and tide wait for no man.

James and I were both absent.

Each plant and each animal has its own parasite.

Every word and every phrase is indispensible to this sentence.

例外：若兩個名詞所指者為一人或一物，則此主語認(rèn)為是一整體，在意義上為單數(shù)，故動詞需單數(shù)。

例：Truth and honesty is best policy.

The poet and statesman is dead.

This carriage and pair costs four hundred pounds.

注：上第二例若為 The poet and the statesman，由于重復(fù)使用冠詞之故，則表示 The poet 和 the statesman 為兩個不同的人，然則動詞須為復(fù)數(shù)。

例：The statesman and the poet are dead.

練習(xí)題（2）

用 is、am 或 are；has 或 have；was 或 were；do 或 does 填入空白處：

1. Bread and butter____a good kind of food at tea-time.

2. A woman and a child____standing by the door.

3. A time of peace and plenty____coming to all of us.

4. The black and the white kitten____dead.

5. You and he____late for school today；why____that？

6. The black and white kitten____asleep.

7. Snow mixed with rain____falling，when I started.

8. James and I____had a long walk today in the fields.

9. The sum and substance of all he says____no effect.

10. A bay and a grey horse____just been bought.

11. The cat and the dog____long been good friends.

12. The horse and its rider____not seem to be tired.

13. A short and unbound book____not cost much.

14. A bunch of roses____not satisfy him.

15. Bread and cheese____not suit his taste.

16. Potatoes____not grow well in heavy soil.

17. The cow and her calf____not belong to me.

18. My pen____been lost；____you seen it？

19. Youth and experience____not exist together.

20. The best painter and poet of this century____lately died.

21. A needle and thread____found on the floor.

22. Trial and error____the source of our knowledge.

23. Romeo and Juliet____one of his favorite plays.

3. 兩單數(shù)主語由 or、nor 連接時，即由 either...or 或 neither...nor 連接時，動詞為單數(shù)：

例：Either James or John is to be promoted.

Neither James nor John is to be promoted.

附則：

（a）當(dāng)主語一為單數(shù)，一為復(fù)數(shù)時，則將復(fù)數(shù)主語放在后，而用復(fù)數(shù)動詞。

例：Neither he nor his parents were present.

（b）如主語的人稱各異時，則動詞與其最接近的主語一致。

例：Either James or I am to get the prize.

Either you or James is to get the prize.

練習(xí)題（3）

將 is、am 或 are；was 或 were；has 或 have；do 或 does 填入空白處。

1. That cloud shows that snow or rain____about to fall.

2. Neither the cock nor the hens____in the yard.

3. By what time____your father or you decided to go？

4. One or two apples____been picked ripe.

5. Neither the man nor his wife____much work.

6. Neither moon nor stars____visible in this dark night.

7. To what place____the man or his son wish to go？

8. Neither the master nor his pupils____idle.

9. Neither he nor you____heard this before.

10. No girl or boy____allowed to play in school.

11. Either the boy or I____to be blamed for this.

12. Neither you nor he____the work required.

13. Neither my partner nor I____ever seen you before.

14. Either he or you____to blame；perhaps both of you.

4. 兩個單數(shù)的主語為 as well as 連接時，動詞用單數(shù)。

例：A box as well as a book has been lost.

副則：若兩主語的人稱或數(shù)各異時，則動詞和最初的主語一致。

例：My partners as well as I were ruined.

I as well as they am tired of this work.

練習(xí)題（4）

將 is、am 或 are；was 或 were；has 或 have；do 或 does 填入空白處。

1. The horse as well as the rider____hurt by the fall.

2. This horse as well as that____for sale，which will you have？

3. James as well as I____won a prize this term.

4. I myself as well as James____won a prize this term.

5. Beauty as well as wealth____fallen to her lot in life.

6. The cock as well as the hens____calling for food.

7. The hens as well as the cock____calling for food.

8. A garden as well as a stable____attached to the house.

9. A garden as well as stables____attached to the house.

10. Stables as well as a garden____attached to the house.

11. Her good looks as well as her voice____much admired.

12. John as well as his friends____present on that day.

13. The moon as well as the stars____shining brightly.

14. He as well as you____to be blamed for this.

15. The pupils as well as the master____worked hard.

16. My father as well as I____a stranger in this place.

17. A horse as well as cows____needed for this farm.

18. The keeper as well as the cows____drenched with rain.

5. 兩個單數(shù)的主語為 not only... but（also）連接時，動詞用單數(shù)：

例：Not only England，but all the world feels the loss.

副則：若兩主語的人稱或數(shù)各異時，則動詞和最后的主語一致。

例：Not only he，but his servants were blamed for that.

練習(xí)題（5）

將 is 或 are，has 或 have，was 或 were，do 或 does 填入空白處：

1. Not only silver，but gold____dug in this country.

2. Not only my sister，but I myself____much surprised.

3. Not only my sister，but my brothers____been invited.

4. Not only the Thames，but the Severn____frozen over.

5. Not only cows，but a horse____grazing in that field.

6. Not only a horse，but cows____grazing in that field.

7. Not only elm-trees，but ivy____growing well here.

8. Not only I，but my children____been disappointed.

9. Not only hope，but confidence____been restored.

10. Not only bread，but tea and buns____provided.

6. 單數(shù)集體名詞（Collective Noun）為主語時，其動詞有單復(fù)兩者：

a. 就團(tuán)體全體言時，動詞用單數(shù)。

b. 就構(gòu)成團(tuán)體的個別分子而言時，動詞用復(fù)數(shù)。

例：His family is a large one.

His family are all well.

練習(xí)題（6）

用 is 或 are，was 或 were，has 或 have，does 或 do 填入空白處：

1. All the audience____satisfied.

2. That fleet____not consist of more than ten ships.

3. Your pack of hounds____larger than mine.

4. The pack____scattered about in various places.

5. The people____much amused at that sight.

6. That gang of seven thieves____been broken up.

7. The gang____nearly all caught：only two escaped.

8. The choir____not contain more than ten choristers.

9. The choir____all here and____taken their usual seats.

10. The audience____too large for a hall of that size.

11. The company____so excited that they rose from their seats.

12. The A. B. C. Company____formed a few years ago.

13. The cattle____out grazing in the field.

14. The fourth class with few exceptions____done well.

15. The class____too large to be taught by one man.

16. The poultry____much mischief among flowers.

17. The gentry of this place____not like dirty roads.

18. The mass of mankind____much influenced by their surroundings.

19. The crew____not consist of more than twenty sailors.

20. The crew____standing in different parts of the ship.

21. The jury____divided in their opinions.

22. The jury____not consist of more than twelve persons.

7. 特別應(yīng)注意事項(xiàng)：

a. 形式上為復(fù)數(shù)的名詞，而動詞應(yīng)用單數(shù)者：

1. 凡有“-ics”為語尾的學(xué)科名詞如 ethics、physics 等。

2. 其他如 news、means、tidings、measles、gallows、innings 等。

3. 看作一個概括的觀念時：

Ten years was too long a time to her.（十年的期間）

Forty miles is a good distance.（四十里的距離）

4. 國名，書名等：

The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe is an interesting book.

The United States is a republic.

b. number、variety：雖然形式是單數(shù)，但用為復(fù)數(shù)之意時，則動詞用復(fù)數(shù)：

A great variety of articles were sold.（因被賣者不是 variety，而是 articles of various kinds［各種的貨物］）

A large number of them were present.（因在場者不是數(shù)［number］而是 they who made the number［構(gòu)成數(shù)目的人們］）但此二詞用為單數(shù)的意時，則動詞仍為單數(shù)：

The number of workman is small.

Variety of scene pleases the eye.

c. half、part、rest. 用于量（quantity）時動詞用單數(shù)，用于數(shù)時，動詞用復(fù)數(shù)：

Part of my work was done.

About half of the passengers are missing.

The rest of the money was spent then and there.

The rest of the children were killed.

d. none 為 no one 結(jié)合起來的，不應(yīng)用單數(shù)，但其后若用復(fù)數(shù)名詞或代詞時，則動詞應(yīng)為復(fù)數(shù)：

None of them have come.

e. each、every；either、neither 動詞概為單數(shù)：

Each （man）of them was present.

Neither of these men was wanted.

Every bush and every tree was in bud.

練習(xí)題（7）

a. 動詞的人稱和數(shù)與主語不一致者，改正之：

1. You was rather late in coming to school today，wasn’t you？

2. Good news have come today；the enemy’s troops are beaten.

3. Neither reward nor punishment are to be expected from him.

4. A carrier with his horse and dog have just entered the yard.

5. Every man and every horse were urgently needed.

6. Are either of these horses yours？No，neither of them are.

7. Not a word of these lectures were read out from a book.

8. None of the men selected was found fit for that purpose.

9. A large number of cattle is grazing in that field.

10. The audience was not agreed on that point.

11. The carriage and the horse is both worth a good deal.

12. When pain or grief attacks us，we know true friends from false.

13. The poultry in our yard is picking up seed.

14. There’s four or five persons coming over today.

15. A white and a grey rabbit has run across the field.

16. There’s as many as fifty sheep grazing on this moor.

17. The poet and the painter that lived here are dead.

18. Either James or you is sure to win the first prize.

19. My box as well as my book have been taken away.

20. The sum of twenty shillings a week were paid to him.

21. A garden full of flowers look very beautiful.

22. They，and not he，has to pay the fine.

23. Both are clear writers；neither of them make mistakes.

24. Every man of the boat’s crew except two were taken ill.

25. A large number of men has come asking for work.

26. To write well，to speak well，or to act well are difficult.

27. Energy and hopefulness，like faith，removes mountains.

28. Each and all of them was shocked at what they heard.

29. Nothing but rain and clouds were seen on that day.

30. The sum and substance of the matter were that he was wrong.

b. 用 is 或 are，was 或 were，has 或 have，does 或 do 填入空白處：

1. The number of new members____risen from ten to fifteen.

2. Everyman who saw that____expected to give evidence.

3. Either wine or beer____less refreshing than pure water.

4. A man and his wife____about to take the house opposite.

5. A cat with two kittens____making much noise in the night.

6. Each of my brothers____made a good start in life.

7. There____still ten people asking for tickets：____we any left？

8. Some people____not like being told，when they are wrong.

9. The taste of these apples and pears____excellent：buy some.

10. A number of boys____come to see the cricket match.

11. The number of boys present____about fifty.

12. The apples on every tree____now ripe enough to be picked.

13. Either the farmer or his men____not understand their work.

14. Either you or he____to be dismissed tomorrow.

15. A large quantity of fruit of various kinds____been bought.

16. A red and white handkerchief____found in my drawer.

17. A red and a white handkerchief____found in my drawer.

18. That woman with a child in her arms____in need of help.

19. Industry，not ability，____the secret of success.

20. The band of musicians____all here，ready to begin.

21. The black and white kitten____a great favorite in the house.

22. The black and the white kitten____been given away to a neighbour.

23. The farmer as well as the laborers____hard at work.

24. Not only the farmer，but the laborers____hard at work.

25. Neither my son nor I____pleased with this climate.

26. Either of these books____well worth buying and reading.

27. The number of spectators____not less than four thousand.

28. A bunch of grapes as well as two apples____given him.

29. The committee____divided in their opinions.

30. The Tales of a Grandfather ____one of Scott’s novels.

31. Thirty dollars a week____good pay for a laborer.

32. A large number of waggons____captured.

33. The number of student in this class____too large.

34. None of the prisoners____released on that day.

35. The audience____much pleased with her singing.

36. The cattle____grazing in the field.

37. The great orator and statesman____dead.

38. There____about sixty students in this school.

39. Either he or his friends____to be invited.

40. Either his friends____to be invited，or he____