棘手的主语

有些主语的表现和你预想的不一样。集合名词、不定代词和某些特定表达，会让正确的动词形式不那么一目了然。本节介绍最常见的几类棘手主语，并为每一类给出清晰的判断准则。

集合名词

集合名词（collective noun）指一群人、动物或事物：team, committee, family, audience, staff, government, jury, class, crowd, public。

关键问题是：这个群体是作为一个整体在行动，还是作为各个成员在行动。

作为整体（单数动词）：

• The committee is meeting at 3:00 p.m.
• The jury has reached a verdict.
• The staff works efficiently under pressure.
• The government is expected to announce new regulations.

作为个体（复数动词）：

• The committee are divided on the issue.（委员们各持己见。）
• The jury have returned to their separate homes.（陪审员们各自回了各自的家。）
• The staff were asked to submit their individual preferences.（每位员工都有自己的偏好。）

实用建议： 在正式写作中，尤其是美式英语中，把集合名词当作单数，除非这样读起来别扭，或者句子明显指的是各个成员。如果用复数感觉很勉强，就调整句子结构：

• 不要写：The team are wearing their individual uniforms.
• 改写为：The team members are wearing their individual uniforms.

这样就避免了任何歧义。

特殊的集合名词

有些集合名词的单复数是固定的：

• Police 永远用复数：The police are investigating the incident.
• People 永远用复数：People are concerned about the economy.
• Media 可单可复，但越来越多地被当作单数：The media is covering the story extensively.

不定代词

不定代词（indefinite pronoun）泛指不特定的人或事物。就主谓一致而言，它们分为三类。

永远用单数

这些代词永远接单数动词，即使它们看起来指的是多个人或事物：

each, every, everyone, everybody, everything, someone, somebody, something, anyone, anybody, anything, no one, nobody, nothing, either, neither

• Everyone in the three departments has been notified.
• Each of the candidates is qualified for the position.
• Nobody wants to volunteer for the late shift.
• Something about these results seems inconsistent.
• Neither of the proposals meets our requirements.
• Either of these options works for me.

最常见的错误是因为 everyone 和 everybody 指多个人，就把它们当成复数。记住：从语法上说，它们永远是单数。

永远用复数

这些代词永远接复数动词：

both, few, many, several, others

• Both are acceptable.
• Few understand the full implications.
• Many have applied, but only ten will be selected.
• Several of the items were damaged in transit.

可单可复（取决于语境）

这些代词可以是单数也可以是复数，取决于它们指代什么：

some, any, all, most, none, more

规则：看这个代词所指代的名词。如果那个名词是不可数的或单数的，用单数动词；如果是可数复数，用复数动词。

• Some of the information is outdated.（information = 不可数 → 单数）
• Some of the documents are outdated.（documents = 可数复数 → 复数）
• All of the equipment has been inspected.（equipment = 不可数 → 单数）
• All of the machines have been inspected.（machines = 可数复数 → 复数）
• Most of the work is finished.（work = 不可数 → 单数）
• Most of the tasks are finished.（tasks = 可数复数 → 复数）
• None of the evidence supports the theory.（evidence = 不可数 → 单数）
• None of the witnesses were credible.（witnesses = 可数复数 → 复数）

"Each" 与 "Every"

当 each 或 every 放在主语前面时，动词永远用单数，即使是复合主语也一样：

• Each student and teacher has a login credential.
• Every door and window was locked before departure.
• Each of the reports requires a signature.

当 each 放在复数主语后面时，动词保持复数：

• The students each have their own workspace.
• They each were given a separate assignment.

"There Is" 与 "There Are"

以 there 开头的句子是倒装的：主语出现在动词之后。你必须往后看，才能找到真正的主语：

• There is a problem with the server.（problem = 单数）
• There are several problems with the server.（problems = 复数）
• There was an error in the calculation.（error = 单数）
• There were errors in the calculation.（errors = 复数）

非正式口语中的一个常见错误，是把 there's（there is）和复数主语连用："There's three reasons..." 这在正式写作中是错误的。一定要检查后面跟的名词。

在 there 后面接复合主语时：

• There is a pen and a notebook on the desk.（第一项是单数，所以在正式写作中用 is 可以接受，不过用 are 也说得通。）
• There are two pens and a notebook on the desk.（第一项是复数 → are。）

"The Number of" 与 "A Number of"

这两个表达的用法不同：

• The number of + 复数名词 → 永远用单数（主语是 the number 本身）

  • The number of applicants has increased this year.
  • The number of errors in the report is alarming.

• A number of + 复数名词 → 永远用复数（相当于 several 或 many）

  • A number of students have requested extensions.
  • A number of factors contribute to the delay.

这个区别让很多写作者栽跟头。一个好记的办法：the number = 一个具体的数量（单数），a number of = 许多（复数）。

标题、公司名称与计量

有些主语看起来是复数，实际上作单数用：

• The New York Times publishes daily.（一份报纸）
• Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri was nominated for Best Picture.（一部电影的片名）
• Five kilometers is a long distance to walk.（一个计量值）
• Ten dollars is too much for a cup of coffee.（一笔钱）
• Two hours is enough time to finish the test.（一段时间）

如果指的是一个个单位，而不是一个整体数量，就用复数动词：

• Ten-dollar bills are hard to break at this store.（一张张钞票）

复合主语与特殊主语

许多主谓一致错误出现在带复合主语（由连词连接的两个或多个名词）的句子里，或者语序不寻常的句子里。本节为你会遇到的每一种主要句式提供详细的例子。

Either/Or 与 Neither/Nor：就近原则

当主语由 either...or 或 neither...nor 连接时，动词与离它更近的那个主语保持一致。这叫做就近原则（proximity rule）。

两个主语都是单数

两个主语都是单数时，动词用单数：

• Either the director or the producer is responsible for the delay.
• Neither the report nor the presentation was ready on time.
• Either coffee or tea is available at the meeting.

两个主语都是复数

两个主语都是复数时，动词用复数：

• Either the managers or the supervisors are in charge of scheduling.
• Neither the graphs nor the tables were included in the final draft.

混合：一个单数，一个复数

一个主语是单数、另一个是复数时，动词与离它最近的那个一致：

• Neither the teacher nor the students were prepared for the fire drill.（students 更近 → 复数）
• Neither the students nor the teacher was prepared for the fire drill.（teacher 更近 → 单数）
• Either the CEO or her advisors have the final say.（advisors 更近 → 复数）
• Either the advisors or the CEO has the final say.（CEO 更近 → 单数）

风格提示： 遇到单复数混合的结构时，把复数主语放在离动词更近的位置，句子读起来会更自然：

• 别扭：Neither the employees nor the manager has signed the form.
• 更好：Neither the manager nor the employees have signed the form.

不带 "Either" 的 "Or"

单独使用 or 时，就近原则同样适用：

• The textbook or the lecture notes are sufficient for the exam.（notes 更近 → 复数）
• The lecture notes or the textbook is sufficient for the exam.（textbook 更近 → 单数）

Both/And：永远用复数

由 both...and 连接的主语永远是复数，没有例外：

• Both the research and the methodology are sound.
• Both the manager and the intern have completed their training.
• Both speed and accuracy matter in this role.

注意，即使每个主语本身都是单数，both...and 也会让这个复合主语成为复数。

"As Well As"、"Together With" 及类似短语

下面这些短语把附加信息连接到主语上，但不会构成真正的复合主语：

as well as, together with, along with, in addition to, accompanied by, including, rather than, no less than

动词只与原来的主语保持一致：

• The professor, as well as her graduate students, is attending the symposium.
• The budget, together with the quarterly projections, has been submitted.
• The CEO, along with several board members, was present at the press conference.
• The textbook, in addition to the supplementary readings, is required for the course.
• The manager, accompanied by two analysts, has reviewed the data.
• The main report, including all appendices, was delivered on Tuesday.
• The president, rather than her deputies, is making the announcement.

为什么？ 这些短语起的是插入补充的作用，而不是像 and 那样的并列连词。从语法上看，它们更接近介词短语。如果你想要一个真正的复数主语，就改用 and：

• The professor and her graduate students are attending the symposium.

详细对比

句子	主语	动词
The mayor, as well as the council members, is attending.	mayor（单数）	is
The mayor and the council members are attending.	mayor + council members（复数）	are
The report, together with the appendices, was filed.	report（单数）	was
The report and the appendices were filed.	report + appendices（复数）	were

倒装句

在标准的英语语序中，主语在动词之前。在倒装句（inverted sentence）中，动词在前，这让主语更难辨认。

疑问句

在疑问句中，助动词放在主语之前：

• Does the report contain the required data?（report = 单数）
• Do the reports contain the required data?（reports = 复数）
• Has the committee reached a decision?（committee = 单数）
• Have the members reached a decision?（members = 复数）

以 "Here" 或 "There" 开头的句子

正如上一节所讲，here 和 there 不是主语。真正的主语在动词之后：

• Here is the document you requested.（document = 单数）
• Here are the documents you requested.（documents = 复数）
• There remains one unresolved issue.（issue = 单数）
• There remain several unresolved issues.（issues = 复数）

以介词短语或副词开头的句子

有时写作者为了强调或出于文体考虑，会把主语和动词倒装：

• On the table sits a vase of flowers.（vase = 单数 → sits）
• On the table sit two vases of flowers.（vases = 复数 → sit）
• Among the applicants was a former colleague.（colleague = 单数 → was）
• Among the applicants were several former colleagues.（colleagues = 复数 → were）
• Attached to this email is the revised proposal.（proposal = 单数）
• Attached to this email are the revised proposals.（proposals = 复数）

倒装的条件句

在正式写作中，条件句有时会省略 if 而倒装：

• Were the data available, we could proceed.（常规写法：If the data were available...）
• Had the manager approved the plan, the project would have started.（常规写法：If the manager had approved...）
• Should the client request changes, notify the team immediately.（常规写法：If the client should request...）

在这些结构中，动词出现在主语之前，但主谓一致照样适用。

由 "Not Only...But Also" 连接的主语

用 not only...but also 时，动词与 "but also" 后面的主语保持一致（又是就近原则）：

• Not only the students but also the teacher was surprised.（teacher = 单数）
• Not only the teacher but also the students were surprised.（students = 复数）
• Not only the statistics but also the conclusion is questionable.（conclusion = 单数）

分数与百分比作主语

当主语是分数、百分比或「一部分」时，动词与后面 of 短语中的名词保持一致：

• Half of the report is finished.（report = 单数）
• Half of the reports are finished.（reports = 复数）
• Thirty percent of the budget has been allocated.（budget = 单数）
• Thirty percent of the funds have been allocated.（funds = 复数）
• A third of the workforce is remote.（workforce = 单数）
• A third of the employees are remote.（employees = 复数）
• The majority of the work is complete.（work = 不可数 → 单数）
• The majority of the tasks are complete.（tasks = 可数复数 → 复数）

关系代词作主语

当 who、which 或 that 作关系从句的主语时，动词与先行词（antecedent，即这个代词所指的名词）保持一致：

• She is the manager who is responsible for this department.（who 指 manager → 单数）
• They are the managers who are responsible for this department.（who 指 managers → 复数）
• This is one of the issues that have caused delays.（that 指 issues → 复数）

易错情形："one of the...who/that"

• She is one of the students who have won scholarships.（who 指 students → 复数——获得奖学金的学生有好几个，她是其中之一。）
• She is the only one of the students who has won a scholarship.（who 指 the only one → 单数——只有她获得了奖学金。）

区别在于：关系从句描述的是整个群体，还是群体中的某一个成员。

主谓一致速查

本节把前面各节的所有规则汇总成速查表，并附上一份棘手情形备忘。修改文章时，或者需要快速解答主谓一致的问题时，都可以用它。

规则总览

#	规则	示例
1	单数主语 → 单数动词	The report is ready.
2	复数主语 → 复数动词	The reports are ready.
3	忽略主语和动词之间的介词短语	The cost of materials has risen.
4	忽略插入短语（as well as, together with, along with, including）	The CEO, along with the board, is attending.
5	由 and 连接的主语 → 复数	The CEO and the CFO are attending.
6	Either/or、neither/nor → 动词与较近的主语一致	Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.
7	Each、every、everyone、someone、nobody → 单数	Each of the files has been reviewed.
8	Both、few、many、several → 复数	Both are acceptable.
9	Some、all、most、none → 取决于所指代的名词	Some of the water is / Some of the files are
10	集合名词 → 通常用单数（作为整体）	The committee is meeting today.
11	There is/are → 动词与后面的主语一致	There are several issues.
12	The number of → 单数；a number of → 复数	The number has grown. / A number have applied.
13	标题、计量和数额 → 单数	The New York Times publishes daily. / Five miles is a long run.
14	分数和百分比 → 与 of 短语中的名词一致	Half of the budget is spent. / Half of the items are sold.
15	关系代词（who/that/which）→ 与其先行词一致	The students who are / The student who is

棘手情形备忘

不定代词一览

永远用单数	永远用复数	可单可复
each	both	some
every	few	any
everyone / everybody	many	all
someone / somebody	several	most
anyone / anybody	others	none
no one / nobody		more
everything / something / anything / nothing
either / neither

集合名词判断指南

情形	动词	示例
群体作为一个整体行动	单数	The team is traveling together.
成员各自行动	复数	The team are wearing different jerseys.
拿不准？	正式写作中用单数	The committee has decided.
想强调个体？	改用 members 重写	The team members are wearing different jerseys.

"There Is" 与 "There Are"

后面接什么？	动词	示例
单数名词	is / was	There is a problem.
复数名词	are / were	There are problems.
不可数名词	is / was	There is no evidence.
复合主语（第一项为单数）	is（正式）或 are	There is a pen and two notebooks.
复合主语（第一项为复数）	are / were	There are two notebooks and a pen.

就近原则汇总

结构	规则	示例
either A or B	动词与 B 一致	Either the dog or the cats are outside.
neither A nor B	动词与 B 一致	Neither the cats nor the dog is outside.
not only A but also B	动词与 B 一致	Not only the staff but also the manager was informed.
A or B	动词与 B 一致	The notebooks or the textbook is sufficient.

常见错误与更正

错误 1：被附近的复数名词误导

错误	正确	原因
The quality of the products are declining.	The quality of the products is declining.	主语 = quality（单数）
The list of requirements have changed.	The list of requirements has changed.	主语 = list（单数）
The purpose of these meetings are unclear.	The purpose of these meetings is unclear.	主语 = purpose（单数）
One of the servers are down.	One of the servers is down.	主语 = one（单数）
The stack of papers on both desks need filing.	The stack of papers on both desks needs filing.	主语 = stack（单数）

错误 2："There Is" 接复数主语

错误	正确
There is several problems with this plan.	There are several problems with this plan.
There is too many variables to consider.	There are too many variables to consider.
There has been many complaints.	There have been many complaints.

错误 3：不定代词错误

错误	正确
Everyone are expected to attend.	Everyone is expected to attend.
Each of the files have been reviewed.	Each of the files has been reviewed.
Neither of the options are ideal.	Neither of the options is ideal.
Nobody want to go first.	Nobody wants to go first.
Somebody need to take responsibility.	Somebody needs to take responsibility.

错误 4：复合主语错误

错误	正确
The manager and the team is ready.	The manager and the team are ready.
Neither the teacher nor the students has the answer.	Neither the teacher nor the students have the answer.
Both the proposal and the budget needs approval.	Both the proposal and the budget need approval.

错误 5：把 "Along With" 当作 "And"

错误	正确
The CEO, along with the board, are reviewing the budget.	The CEO, along with the board, is reviewing the budget.
The report, as well as the appendices, were submitted.	The report, as well as the appendices, was submitted.
The president, together with his advisors, have arrived.	The president, together with his advisors, has arrived.

错误 6："The Number of" 与 "A Number of"

错误	正确
The number of complaints have increased.	The number of complaints has increased.
A number of issues has been raised.	A number of issues have been raised.

修改清单

每次修改文章时都用这份清单：

1. 为每个句子找到真正的主语。 在动词前问一句「是谁／是什么？」。
2. 划掉主语和动词之间的介词短语。 它们不影响主谓一致。
3. 划掉插入短语（along with, as well as, together with, including）。它们不构成复合主语。
4. 检查 "there is/are" 句。 在动词之后找到真正的主语，并据此一致。
5. 核实不定代词。 Everyone, each, neither, nobody, someone 永远是单数。
6. 检查 or/nor 结构。 运用就近原则——动词与较近的主语一致。
7. 确认 and 结构。 由 and 连接的主语几乎总是复数。
8. 审视集合名词。 正式写作中默认用单数，除非成员明显是各自行动。
9. 检查倒装句。 即使主语在动词之后，也要把它找出来。
10. 用代词替换法检验。 用 he/she/it 或 they 替换主语，确认动词形式。

快速判断流程

遇到棘手的主语时，按顺序问自己这几个问题：

第 1 步： 主语是由 and 连接的吗？

• 是 → 复数（除非它指的是一个整体概念，比如 bread and butter）。

第 2 步： 主语是由 or、nor、either...or 或 neither...nor 连接的吗？

• 是 → 动词与离它最近的主语一致。

第 3 步： 主语是不定代词吗？

• each, every, everyone, someone, nobody, either, neither → 单数
• both, few, many, several → 复数
• some, all, most, none → 看它指代什么（不可数 = 单数，可数复数 = 复数）

第 4 步： 主语和动词之间有没有插入的短语？

• 忽略它。 动词只与真正的主语一致。

第 5 步： 句子是倒装的吗（there is/are、疑问句、强调倒装）？

• 找到真正的主语（通常在动词之后），然后与之一致。