主谓一致详解
【基础知识】
主谓一致指“人称”和“数”方面的一致关系。对大多数人来说，往往会在掌握主语和随后的谓语动词之间的一致问题上遇到困难。一般情况下，主谓之间的一致关系由以下三个原则支配：
语法一致原则(grammatical concord)
意义一致原则(notional concord)
就近原则(principle of proximity)
（一）语法一致原则
用作主语的名词词组中心词和谓语动词在单、复数形式上的一致，就是语法一致。也就是说，如果名词中心词是单数，动词用单数形式；如果名词中心词是复数，动词用复数形式。例如：
This table is a genuine antique.
Both parties have their own advantages.
Her job has something to do with computers.
She wants to go home.
They are divorcing each other.
Mary was watching herself in the mirror.
The bird built a nest.
Susan comes home every week-end.
（二）意义一致原则
有时，主语和谓语动词的一致关系取决于主语的单、复数意义，而不是语法上的单、复数形式，这样的一致关系就是意义一致。例如：
Democratic government gradually take the place of an all-powerful monarchy.
A barracks was attacked by the guerilla.
Mumps is a kind of infectious disease.
The United States is a developed country.
It is the remains of a ruined palace.
The archives was lost.
This pair of trousers costs fifty dollars.
（三）就近原则
有时，谓语动词的单、复数形式决定于最靠近它的词语。
例如：
Either my grandsons or their father is coming.
No one except his daughters agree with him.
Mary and her sisters are baking a cake.
Neither Richard nor I am going.
二、以集合名词做主语的主谓一致问题
有些集合名词，
ommittee,council,crew,crowd,family,gang,government,group,mob,staff,team, union等，在意义上是复数，但在语法形式上是单数，这类名词作主语的主谓一致问题往往遵循“语法一致”或“意义一致”原则。例如：
The committee has/have decided to dismiss him.
A council of elders governs the tribe.
The present government is trying to control inflation.
The school staff are expected to supervise school meals.
（一）通常作复数的集体名词
包括police,people, cattle, militia, vermin等，这些集体名词通常用作复数。
例如：
The British police have only very limited powers.
The militia were called out to guard the borderland.
It seems the cattle on the sides of the dikes were the only living creatures in these desolate surroundings.
（二）通常作不可数名词的集体名词
通常作不可数名词的集体名词，包括poultry,foliage，machinery, equipment,furniture, merchandise等,这类名词后的动词用单数形式。
例如：
Poultry is expensive at this time of year.
That green foliage was restful.
The merchandise has arrived undamaged.
All the machinery in the factory is made in China.
The suite of furniture he bought was of contemporary style.
The equipment of the photographic studio was expensive.
（三）可作单数也可作复数的集体名词
可作单数也可作复数的集体名词,包括audience, committee, crew, family, government,jury等。
例如：
The audience was/were enthusiastic on the opening night of the play.
The committee has/have decided to dismiss him.
The jury is/are about to announce the winners.
