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科技英语写作基础（系列）：主语决定动词（单、复数）

借用The Elements of Style，我们在这里编译几个跟科技英语有关的例子。(Yes, I am cherry-picking.)

如果你的目标是写小说，应该看原版（免费下载）：

http://www.jlakes.org/ch/web/The-elements-of-style.pdf

I. ELEMENTARY RULES OF USAGE

9. The number of the subject determines the number of the verb.

主语和动词不匹配是常常出现的错误。我也会“说错”，但是，我一般不会“写错”。毕竟，我是靠润色谋生的。

Words that intervene between subject and verb do not affect the number of the verb.

错：The bittersweet flavor of youth — its trials, its joys, its adventures, its challenges — are not soon forgotten.

对：The bittersweet flavor of youth — its trials, its joys, its adventures, its challenges — is not soon forgotten.

注解：不要被“—（中间一堆东西）—”搞晕了。盯住主语“flavor”！

但是，下面的从句who是“定义”scientists和those people。不是定义one。

A common blunder is the use of a singular verb form in a relative clause following "one of..." or a similar expression when the relative is the subject.

错：One of the ablest scientists who has attacked this problem

对：One of the ablest scientists who have attacked this problem

错：One of those people who is never ready on time

对：One of those people who are never ready on time

在each, either, everyone, everybody, neither, nobody, someone后面常常用“单数动词”。

Use a singular verb form after each, either, everyone, everybody, neither, nobody, someone.

Everybody thinks he has a unique sense of humor.

Although both clocks strike cheerfully, neither keeps good time. 

但是，none有时是单数，任性时，则是复数。

With none, use the singular verb when the word means "no one" or "not one."

错：None of us are perfect.

对：None of us is perfect.（none＝单数）

A plural verb is commonly used when none suggests more than one thing or person.

None are so fallible as those who are sure they're right.（none＝复数）

如果主语带有and，即“主语＝a and b”，一般就是复数。

A compound subject formed of two or more nouns joined by and almost always requires a plural verb.

The walrus and the carpenter were walking close at hand.

下面这些“特殊情况”是“既定单数”，我们只能“接受” 。

But certain compounds, often cliches, are so inseparable they are considered a unit and so take a singular verb, as do compound subjects qualified by each or every.

The long and the short of it is ... （用is）

Bread and butter was all she served. （用was）

Give and take is essential to a happy household.（用is）

Every window, picture, and mirror was smashed.（用was）

在“B as well as A”做主语时，动词由B决定。（纠结啊！我一直都被教成“动词由A（靠近动词的那个）决定”。

原作者说：名词1＋with, as well as, in addition to, except, together with, and no less than＋名词2后面的动词由名词1决定。

A singular subject remains singular even if other nouns are connected to it by with, as well as, in addition to, except, together with, and no less than.

His speech as well as his manner is objectionable.

下面这些例子对我非常有用。

A linking verb agrees with the number of its subject.

What is wanted is a few more pairs of hands.（主语是what，动词就是is，尽管后面有pairs of hands。）

The trouble with truth is its many varieties.（主语是trouble，动词就是is，尽管后面有many varieties。）

下面这些“复数“，被当成“单数”（已经成为规矩），我们只能“死记硬背”。

Some nouns that appear to be plural are usually construed as singular and given a singular verb.

Politics is an art, not a science.（哈哈）

The Republican Headquarters is on this side of the tracks.

但是，但是，但是，下面的复数主语依然是复数。语言有时非常任性，我们只能忍！

But

The general's quarters are across the river.

In these cases[,] the writer must simply learn the idioms. The contents of a book is singular. The contents of a jar may be either singular or plural, depending on what's in the jar—jam or marbles.