1、(最新整理)章振邦新编英语语法Lecture_22021/7/262Lecture 2Subject-verb Concord(I)Subject-verb Concord(I)2021/7/2632.12.1Guiding Principles Grammatical concordNotional concordPrinciple of Proximity2021/7/264NO.1NO.1 Grammatical concord The verb must match its subject in number.If the subject is plural,the verb shou
2、ld take the plural form;if,on the other hand,the subject is singular or is a mass noun,the verb should take the singular form.Both boys have their own merits.Few students are really lazy.Many people want to go.Two girls were standing on the corner.2021/7/265NO.1 Grammatical concordEach boy has his o
3、wn book.Every girl comes on time.Either answer is correct.Much effort is wasted.2021/7/266NO.2NO.2Notional Concord The verb can sometimes agree with the subject according to the notion of number rather than to the actual presence of the grammatical marker for that notion.The government have asked th
4、e country to decide by a vote.Fifteen miles seems like a long walk to me.Fifty-six dollars was stolen from the cash register.2021/7/267NO.3NO.3Principle of Proximity It denotes agreement of the verb with a closely preceding noun phrase in preference to agreement with the head of the noun phrase that
5、 functions as subject.Either my brothers or my father is coming.Only one out of five were present.No one except his own supporters agree with him.Neither Julia nor I am going.2021/7/2682.12.1Guiding Principles Note that grammatical concord is the basic Note that grammatical concord is the basic prin
6、ciple,but when the subject is realized by a principle,but when the subject is realized by a collective noun,a coordinate form or an collective noun,a coordinate form or an expression of quantity,the other two principles expression of quantity,the other two principles will have to be considered.will
7、have to be considered.2021/7/2692.22.2Problems of concord with nouns ending in-s There are quite a few nouns that end in s but which are not countable.Some of these nouns are treated as singular,some as plural,and some either as singular or as plural.Disease and game names ending in s Subject names
8、ending in ics Geographical names ending in s2021/7/2610 Other nouns ending in-s Names for things made of two parts such as scissors,pincers,glasses,shorts,trousers,pants,slacks,suspenders,etc are usually used as plural.But when they are preceded by such unit nouns as a pair of and two pairs of,the n
9、umber form of the following verb is generally determined by the number marker of the unit noun.e.g.Joes new trousers e.g.Joes new trousers are are black and white.black and white.One pair of scissors One pair of scissors is isnt enough.nt enough.2021/7/2611 Other nouns ending in-s Nouns usually taki
10、ng plural endings such as archives,arms and clothes are generally used as plural with the exception of whereabouts,dramatics,etc which may be treated either as plural or as singular.e.g.The archives of this society e.g.The archives of this society are are keptkept in the basement.in the basement.The
11、 contents of this book The contents of this book areare most fascinating.most fascinating.His whereabouts His whereabouts were/waswere/was known only to his personal staff.known only to his personal staff.The dramatics of the performance The dramatics of the performance were/waswere/was marvelous.ma
12、rvelous.2021/7/2612 Other nouns ending in-s Nouns ending in ings such as clippings,diggings,etc are generally used as plural with the exception of tidings which can be used both ways.e.g.The clippings of the hedges e.g.The clippings of the hedges are are usually burnt.usually burnt.The sweepings of
13、the godown The sweepings of the godown have have been disposed of.been disposed of.Good tidings Good tidings have have cheered them up.cheered them up.The tidings The tidings has has come a little too e a little too late.2021/7/2613 Other nouns ending in-s There are also nouns such as barracks and h
14、eadquarters whose singular and plural number share the same form.These nouns are treated as plural when used in the plural sense,or vice versa.e.g.A barrack e.g.A barrack waswas stormed by the enemy.stormed by the enemy.Two barracks in the suburbs Two barracks in the suburbs havehave been surrounded
15、.been surrounded.What Whats s the odds?the odds?The odds The odds are are against us.against us.2021/7/2614 Key to exercises Ex.2A e 2.are 3.has/have 4.are 5.are 6.are 7.was/were 8.is 9.costs 10.were 11.are 12.are 13.was 14.are 15.lie 16.were 17.are 18.is 19.is 20.was 21.Has 22.were 23.is 24.is 25.a
16、re 26.is 27.are 28.cover,are 29.is/are 30.was/were 2021/7/26152.32.3Problems of concord with collective nouns as subject Collective nouns are singular in form but plural in meaning.The choice between grammatical and notional concord is mostly dictated by usage.Collective nouns usually used a plural:
17、people,police,cattle,militia,poultry,vermin,etce.g.Such vermin as bugs and rats are hard to get rid of.e.g.Such vermin as bugs and rats are hard to get rid of.2021/7/2616 Key to exercises Collective nouns usually used a singular:foliage,machinery,equipment,furniture,merchandise,etce.g.T he merchandi
18、se has arrived undamaged.e.g.T he merchandise has arrived undamaged.All the machinery in the factory is made in China All the machinery in the factory is made in China2021/7/26172.32.3Problems of concord with collective nouns as subject Collective nouns used either as plural or as singular:The choic
19、e of the verb form following such nouns depends on the exact meaning of the noun in a specific context.When the noun is used in the sense of a collective as a whole,the verb takes the singular form.On the other hand,the noun is used in the sense of the individuals that make the collective,the verb t
20、akes the plural form.audience,committee,class,crew,family,government,public,etc2021/7/26182.32.3audience,committee,class,crew,family,government,public,etce.g.That group(or platoon or squad)of soldiers is a top-notch fighting unit.That group(or platoon or squad)of soldiers have the best ratings of in
21、dividual performance.That herd of cows and calves is the healthiest the farm has had in some time.That herd of cows and calves are moving toward the sheds by twos and threes.2021/7/26192.32.3Problems of concord with collective nouns as subject A committee of,etc.+plural noun When a plural noun is pr
22、eceded by a committee of/a(the)board of/a panel of,the verb usually takes the singular form.A committee of five men and three women A committee of five men and three women is is to consider the matter.to consider the matter.A panel of distinguished people A panel of distinguished people has has been
23、 chosenbeen chosen to judge this to judge this competition.It competition.It is is meeting tomorrow.meeting tomorrow.The board of directors The board of directors is is responsible for the management of the firm.responsible for the management of the firm.2021/7/26202.32.3Key to exercises1.were 2.have 3.is,is 4.was 5.were 6.is 7.is 8.are 9.is 10.are,are 11.have 12.are,their,their 13.was,It,was 14,It/They,is/are 15.are,their,they,disapprove 16.were,they 17.was 18.are 19.were 20.were 2021/7/2621
