英語的動詞必須在人稱(person)、數(shù)目(number)、性別( gender)和格(case)這些方面和主語取得一致或互相呼應。

在學生的英文作文中，動詞與主語呼應上的錯誤，經常出現(xiàn)。

下面這句話來自一個重要的公共部門的通告，里面也出現(xiàn)了動詞與主語不一致的錯誤：

ABC corporation, with its five main subsidiary companies, have taken over the operations of the previous electricity and gas departments of XXX with effect from 1 october 1995.

這里的主語是“ABC corporation”，它是單數(shù)的，動詞也應該是單數(shù)的 has，不是復數(shù)的 have，因此犯了動詞與主語不對應的錯誤。

既然這是個常見的錯誤，我們便要特別留意，并且記住下面這些指導原則：

●動詞和主語在人稱和數(shù)目上要一致，如：

① I am a writer.

② Helen is an editor.

③ They have a good future.

④ Dr Chen teaches us English.

⑤ Some old houses were burnt to the ground.

⑥ A deserted hut has already been demolished.

●兩個或兩個以上的單數(shù)主語由連接詞“and”貫串起來時，便成了復數(shù)，動詞也要復數(shù)，如：

⑦ David and Jason are colleagues.

⑧The driver and the passenger were involved in a quarrel.

●兩個主語由“with”或“as well as ”等連接時，動詞要和第一個主語的人稱及數(shù)目呼應，如：

⑨ A woman with her puppies is walking along the lake.

⑩ The monitor as well as the other students has been scolded.

●兩個主語由“either……or”或“neither……nor”連接時，動詞要和第二個主語的人稱及數(shù)目呼應，如：

11. Either you or your friend is wrong.

12. Neither John nor his classmates have said it.

●集合名詞(collective noun)當整體看待時，動詞是單數(shù)，如：

13. The steering committee is made up of five members.

14. The jury has made its final decision.

有時可以個別看待集合名詞里的成員，這時這些成員合起來便變成復數(shù)，動詞也是復數(shù)了，如：

15. The committee have met once and they will meet again next month.

16. Despite hours of deliberations, the jury were still divided in their opinions.