D)分数、量词作主语
21)基数词单纯表示数字作主语时,其谓语动词通常用单数形式,但是当基数词表示的不是数值而是数量时,谓语动词可用复数形式。例如:Ten billion is a large number. Twelve were boys.英语中算术式作主语时,若是减法和除法算术式,谓语通常用单数形式;若是加法和乘法,谓语动词有时也可用复数形式。例如:
Three taken from eight leaves five.
Twelve divided by four is three.
Two and (plus) two is/are four.
Three times five is/are fifteen.
在提问加、减、乘、除得数时,如用how much,谓语动词多用单数形式;如用how many,谓语动词多用复数形式。例如:
How much is eight divided by two. How many are two times five.
22)"分数或百分数+of+名词"构成短语,以及由"some,a lot of,lots of,plenty of,a (large)quantity of,the rest of,a heap of,heaps of+名词"构成短语时,其名词可以是可数名词或不可数名词。作主语时,采取就近一致的原则,其谓语动词要与短语中of后面的名词的数保持一致,这是因为短语中of后面的名词是中心词,而名词前面的量词是修饰语。例如:
This is because two thirds of the earth's surface is made up of vast ocean.
I know that one of the towers is on the top of a hill,but the rest of the buildings are easy to get to.
Three fifths of the workers here are women.Lots of damage was caused by fire.
A large quantity of beer was sold.A quantity of blouses were on sale.
23)a(GREat) number of,many,a few修饰可数名词复数形式,其短语作主语时,谓语动词用复数;a little,much,a great deal of,a large amount of修饰不可数名词,其短语作主语时,谓语动词用单数。例如:
A number of other plants were found in America,for example,beans,potatoes and different fruits.
A GREat deal of trouble lies before us.
A large amount of (A GREat deal of) damage was done in a very short time.
24)(large)quantities of修饰可数复数名词或不可数名词,其短语作主语时,谓语动词一般用复数。large amounts of修饰不可数名词,其短语作主语时,谓语动词一般用复数。例如:
Quantities of food (nuts) were on the table. Large amounts of money were spent on the bridge.
25)the number of+可数名词复数形式,the amount of+不可数名词,the quantity of+可数名词复数形式或不可数名词构成的短语,作主语时,谓语动词用单数。例如:
As a result,the number of people who travel by plane in China is larger than ever before.The quantity of books in the library is amazing.The quantity of heat in the office has not been increased.The amount of money is GREat.
26)表示数量的one and a half后,名词要用复数形式。谓语动词的数视具体情况而定。中心词是表示金钱、距离等词,常被看作是一个整体,谓语动词习惯用单数;中心词是apple,banana等可数名词时,谓语动词习惯用复数,因为one and a half是大于"一"的概念。例如:
One and a half hours is enough for me to finish the composition.
One and a half bananas are left on the table.
27)half of,(a) part of修饰可数名词单数及不可数名词时,谓语动词用单数;修饰可数名词复数时,谓语动词用复数。
