1. 形式一致的原则
一般说来,当作主语的名词或代词是第三人称单数时,谓语动词就用单数形式;当作主语的名词或代词是复数时,谓语动词就复数形式:
如:
( 1) He likes skating in winter.
他喜欢冬天滑冰。
( 2) Alice reads much.
艾利斯看了很多书。
( 3) They don’ t live here.
他们不住这里。
2. 意义一致的原则
英语中,有些名词或代词形式上是单数,而意义上可能是复数,这时,谓语动词的形式就须依据名词或代词的意义决定。
如:
( 1) People there were very glad to see our team win the match.
在那里的人们看到我们队赢了比赛时都非常高兴。
( 2) His family were watching TV when I got to his home.
我到他家时,他家的人在看电视。
( 3) Our class are working hard to make ours a good class.
我们班的同学都在努力工作以便是我们班成为优秀班。
3. 邻近一致的原则
英语中,有时几个名词或代词有某些此连接起来一起作句子的主语,此时,谓语动词的形式就须有与之最接近的名词或代词的人称和数决定。
如:
( 1) There is a desk and five chairs in his room.
他房间里有一张办公桌和五把椅子。
( 2) There are five chairs and a desk in his room.
他房间里有五把椅子和一张办公桌。
( 3) Either you or Li Lei is going to be sent there.
要么是你要么是李蕾将被派到那里去。
( 4) Are either you or Li Lei going to be sent there.
是你将被派到那里去还是李蕾将被派到那里去