集合名詞作主語時，主謂一致關(guān)系是一個較為復雜的問題。對此類問題我們可以從“數(shù)”的角度分為四類。

1)單數(shù)—復數(shù)型。凡是有復數(shù)詞尾變化形式的集合名詞都屬于此類。如：a class—classes; a family—families; a government—governments; an army—armies; a people—peoples; a group—groups; a crowd—crowds; a crew—crews等。這類集合名詞強調(diào)的是整體性，即當作一個整體或多個整體來看待。屬于這類集合名詞的單數(shù)作主語時，謂語動詞用單數(shù)；復數(shù)形式作主語時，謂語動詞用復數(shù)。

【例如】

A big crowd often gathers on the square every morning.

The government has decided to pass the bill.

There are huge crowds in the streets on Sunday.

There are many English-speaking peoples in the world.

但應(yīng)注意，這類集合名詞的單數(shù)形式有時表示復數(shù)概念，所以這些集合名詞的單數(shù)形式也可歸為“單復同形型”中。

2)單數(shù)型。這類集合名詞表示的是人或事物的整體，即把這類人或事物的全部包括在內(nèi)，所以只有單數(shù)形式。如作主語，謂語動詞常用單數(shù)。這類名詞常見的有：humanity, mankind, proletariat等。

【例如】The proletariat is the greatest class in the history of mankind. In the fields of production and scientific experiment, mankind makes constant progress.

3)復數(shù)型。這類集合名詞在形式和內(nèi)容上是相互矛盾的，就是說它們只有單數(shù)形式，但表達的都是復數(shù)概念。它強調(diào)的是集體中的個體性。這類名詞有：police, cattle, faculty, flock, machinery, vermin, personnel等。它們作主語時，謂語動詞要用復數(shù)。

【例如】The police have caught the murder.

Our personnel are very highly trained.

The vermin are very dangerous.

4)單復同形型。這類集合名詞的單數(shù)形式既可表示單數(shù)也可表示復數(shù)。作主語時，用單數(shù)動詞或復數(shù)動詞均可，有時意義區(qū)別不大。

【例如】The school teaching staff are (is) excellent.

The public is (are) requested not to litter in the park.

The teaching profession claim(s) to be badly paid.

這類集合名詞常見的有：class, family, team, crew, board, herd, committee, party, jury, enemy, audience等。

根據(jù)說話人的心理意向若把這個集合名詞所代表的人或事物看作一個整體，就認為是單數(shù)，用單數(shù)動詞；若把它所代表的人或事物看作若干個個體的話，就認為其為復數(shù)，用復數(shù)動詞。

試比較：The football team is playing well.

那個足球隊打得非常漂亮。

The football team areshavingsbath and are then coming back here for tea.

足球隊員們正在洗澡，然后來這里吃茶點。

The family is a very happy one.

那個家庭是一個非常幸福的家庭。

That family are very pleased about the news of William’s success.

全家人對威廉的成功都感到很高興。