主谓一致(Subjectverb Agreement)
句子成分间或词语间必须在人称、数、性等方面保持一致,一致这一语言现象在日常应用及各类英语考试中出现较多,最主要的一致关系是主谓一致。
一、主谓一致的分类
1.语法一致,即主语为单数形式,谓语动词也采取单数形式;主语为复数形式,谓语动词也用复数形式。
2.意义一致,即从意义上着眼来处理主谓一致问题,也就是说有时主语形式为单数,但意义为复数,这时谓语动词视其意义采用复数形式,反之亦然。
3.就近一致,即谓语动词的人称和数往往和最靠近的词语保持一致。
二、主谓一致原则的具体应用
(一)what从句或其他名词性从句作主语时,谓语动词用单数形式
例句: All I have to do is to go to my CD shelf, or boot up my computer and download still more recorded music from iTunes.(选自2011年Text 1)
分析: 该句是复合句,其中,定语从句I have to do前省略了关系代词that,修饰先行词all,all that相当于what。
译文: 我要做的是走到我的唱片架旁,或者打开电脑从iTunes上下载更多的音乐录音。
例句: He claims to be an expert in astronomy, but in actual fact he is quite ignorant on the subject. What little he knows about it is out of date and inaccurate.(1997年第7题)
分析: but前后为一组并列句,而What little he knows about it is out of date and inaccurate是一个复合句,即主语从句,what little he knows about it在主语从句中作主语。
译文: 他声称是天文学的专家,而事实上他对该学科一窍不通。所知道的一点点也是过时的且不准确的。
例句: That these seas are being overfished has been known for years.
(选自2006年Text 3)
分析: 该句是复合句,其中主语从句的主语由That these seas are being overfished充当。
译文: 众所周知,人类在海洋里过度捕捞已经很多年了。
(二)主语后跟有由特殊连词引出的词语时,其谓语动词的单复数由主语决定
这样的连词有as well as, rather than, together with, along with, but, except, accompanied by, in addition to, including, instead of, like, more than等,有时这些词也可以置于句首。.
例句: The pollution question as well as several other issues is going to be discussed when the Congress is in session again next spring. (1996年第36题)
分析: 该句是复合句,本句中主句主语后接as well as...,谓语动词的单复数和主语一致。
译文: 明年春天再次举行的国会会议上将讨论污染及其他一些问题。
例句: Johns uncle, together with his two relatives, suggests that we (should) stay here till next weekend.
分析: 该句是复合句,suggest后的宾语从句that we (should) stay here till next weekend用虚拟语气。
译文: 约翰的叔叔还有他的两个亲戚建议我们待到下周末。
例句: Together with another two scientists, he is publishing a paper which not only suggests that one group of humanity is more intelligent than the others, but explains the process that has brought this about. (选自2008年Use of English)
分析: 该句是复合句,句子主干是he is publishing a paper,介词短语together with another two scientists作状语,表示伴随, which引导一个定语从句,修饰a paper,其中包含了not only...but(also)这一句型,that one group...than the others作suggests的宾语,that has brought this about是一个修饰the process的定语从句。
译文: 他和其他两位科学家准备一起发表一篇论文,在文章中他们不仅提出某一族群人比另一族群人更加聪明的观点,而且还解释了引起这种结果的过程。
(三)主语为a portion of(一份), a kind of, a series of等短语
该情况中谓语动词根据形式一致原理用单数形式,但如果主语为portions of, many kinds of时,谓语动词相应采用复数形式。
例句: Next year, after a series of mergers is completed, just four railroads will control well over 90 percent of all the freights moved by major rail carriers.
(选自2003年Text 3)
分析: 该句是复合句, moved by major rail carriers在主句中作定语修饰all the freights。
译文: 明年,在一系列的合并完成以后,这四家铁路公司将占主要铁路公司货运总量的90%以上。
(四)there be句型
be的单复数根据就近原则,主谓一致。.
例句: There are thirteen or more of them, and if any is missing a deficiency disease becomes apparent. (选自1996年Cloze Test)
分析: 该句是由and连接的并列句,其中and后是一个复合句。
译文: 至少有13种维生素,若缺其中一种,维生素缺乏症疾病便明显可见。
例句: There are a number of bestselling downshifting selfhelp books for people who want to simplify their lives; there are newsletters, such as The Tightwad Gazette, that give hundreds of thousands of Americans useful tips on anything from recycling their clingfilm to making their own soap; there are even support groups for those who want to achieve the mid90s equivalent of dropping out. (选自2001年Text 5)
分析: 本句由三个分句构成,在第一个分句中,定语从句who want to simplify their lives 修饰people;在第二个分句中,定语从句that give hundreds of thousands of...修饰newsletters,其中介词短语from recycling their clingfilm to...修饰anything;在第三个分句中,定语从句who want to...修饰先行词those。
译文: 对那些想要简朴生活的人,有许多畅销的关于“顺其自然”生活方式的自助书;还有像“守财奴报”之类的通讯,给数十万美国人提供包罗万象而且实用的指导,从胶卷的再利用到自己制造肥皂;甚至还有支持小组,帮助有些人实现90年代中期逃避社会现实的理想。