(本文选自《魔方英语语法》第二章第六节。已经登记版权，请勿用于商业用途。)
英语的主谓一致，是英语语法的难点，也是高考中的热点。主谓一致的三原则是：（语法）形式一致原则，意义一致原则，就近一致原则。但是到底什么时候用形式一致原则，什么时候用意义一致原则呢？读了这篇文章后，就不用再为这个问题纠结了！因为，主谓一致的根本原则是意义一致原则。
主谓一致，指主语与谓语之间在数与人称上保持一致，其中，最重要的是数的一致，即，主语的单/复数决定谓语的单/复数。应该注意的是，主语的数是复数时加s，而谓语的数是单数时加s。刚好相反。（见右表）。如，I bought three watches yesterday.（名词，复数时加-(e)s）。He watches TV every day.（动词，单数时加-(e)s）
主谓一致的根本原则是意义一致原则。①主谓一致，一般情况下采用意义一致原则。什么是意义一致原则呢？无论主语是单数形式还是复数形式，若表示单数意义，则谓语用单数；若表示复数意义，则谓语用复数。②主谓一致，个别情况下采用就近一致原则（可以看做权宜之计）。什么是就近一致原则呢？在某些并列主语情况下，按照紧挨着谓语的那个主语来确定谓语的数。
一. 使用主谓一致原则，首先得找到主语
使用主谓一致原则，首先得找到主语。谓语的左边紧挨着的词或短语，并非就是主语。
常见有三种情况妨碍我们找到主语：
1. 排除定语或状语（如介词短语）的干扰，找到主语。主语后常跟的定语或状语有：①表示增加的：with, along with, together with；as well as, as much as；in addition to, accompanied by, besides, plus等。②表示减去的：but(除去)，except等。③表示补充说明的：such as, like, including, rather than等。如，
●The man (together) with his children sits on the sofa watching TV.
●The teacher as well as the students was excited.
2.找到省略了的主语。常见于“所有格或物主代词 （省略掉的名词）”。如，
●The doctor’s is on this side of the street.（The doctor’s=The doctor’s house，所以谓语用单数）
●Your shoes are black, mine are brown.（mine=my shoes，所以谓语用复数）
3.找到倒装句的主语。如，
●South of the city is a large stadium.（主语是stadium，所以谓语用单数）
●In front of the girl are some flowers.（主语是flowers，所以谓语用复数）
二. 单个主语时的主谓一致，采用意义一致原则
单个主语时的主谓一致，采用意义一致原则，也就是主语意义与谓语意义之间保持一致。言下之意就是不管形式只看意义：不管主语是单数形式还是复数形式，若表示单数意义则谓语用单数；若表示复数意义则谓语用复数。换句话说，不管你主语形式与主语意义一致也罢，或者主语形式与主语意义不一致也罢，反正我就抱定一个宗旨不变，只按照主语意义确定谓语的单复数。见下表，
下边详细讲解。
1. 一般地，单数形式表示单数意义，所以谓语用单数；复数形式表示复数意义，所以谓语用复数。此规则在此篇幅很少，但是实际使用中频率最高，占大多数情况。所以，称为“一般地”，言下之意，其余都是“特别地”。如，
●A tree has fallen across the road.一株树倒下横在路上。
●Little streams feed big rivers.小河流入大江。
2.单复数同形的名词作主语时的主谓一致。这些名词有：deer鹿，sheep羊，fish鱼。这些名词作主语时，谓语的数分两种情况：表示单数意义时，其谓语用单数；表示复数意义时，其谓语用复数。如，
●This sheep is mine and those sheep are mine，too.
●There are some sheep in the woods.
3. 单数形式的集体名词作主语时的主谓一致。分两种情况：若看作一个整体，谓语用单数。若看作各个成员，谓语用复数。如，
●His family is larger than mine.（整体）
●The family are watching TV.（成员）
●Our football team is playing well.我们球队踢得很好。
●Our football team are having baths.我们队员正在洗澡。
4.复数形名词作主语时的主谓一致。这些名词作主语时，谓语的数分两种情况：表示单数意义时（前边有a/this/that修饰），其谓语用单数。表示复数意义时（前边有all/these/those修饰），其谓语用复数。如，
●A crossroads is a place where roads cross.
●There are several crossroads here.
●Every means has been tried.每种方法都试过了。
●Those means have been tried.那些方法都试过了。
只用作单数或只用作复数的复数形名词。①以-ings结尾的名词作主语时，谓语用复数。如，belongings所有物，savings储蓄，shortcomings缺点，surroundings环境。例句：Our total earnings are about forty dollars.②news(新闻)和gallows(绞架)等名词作主语时，谓语用单数。
5. 由两部分构成的物体作主语时的主谓一致。这些名词有：shoes，trousers，scissors，glasses等。这些名词作主语时，谓语的数分两种情况：若主语前有量词（如pair），谓语的数由量词决定；若主语前没有量词，谓语用复数。如，
●The pair of shoes is her sisters.
●The shoes are her sisters.
●This pair of trousers is mine.
●Tom，here are your new trousers. please put them on.
6. 以-ics结尾的学科名词作主语时的主谓一致。这些名词有：maths数学，physics物理学，politics政治学，economics经济学，等。这些名词作主语时，谓语的数分为两种情况：在表示“学科”时，谓语用单数；在表示具体的实践活动/性能/现象时，谓语用复数。如，
●Statistics is a branch of mathematics.统计学是数学的分支。
●Statistics show that there are more boy than girls at school.统计数字表明男孩比女孩多。
7. 表示度量/距离/金额/时间等的名词复数作主语时的主语一致。分两种情况：若表示数值（看作一个整体），谓语用单数；若表示数量（看作多个个体的总和），谓语用复数。如，
●Three years has passed.
●Three years have passed since we met last time.
●Twelve is a small number.
●Twelve were boys.
8.不定式/动名词/从句作主语时的主谓一致。
①单个不定式或动名词作主语，谓语用单数。两个或两个以上互不关联的事，谓语用复数。两个或两个以上密切关联为一件事，谓语用单数。如，
●To die for the people is a worthy death.
●Looking after the children is my full time job.
●When and where to hold the meeting is unknown.
●Playing basketball and swimming are his favorite sports.打篮球和游泳是他最爱的运动。
●Going to bed early and getting up early is a good habit.早睡早起好习惯。
②单个从句作主语时，谓语用单数。两个或两个以上，谓语用复数。由what引导的主语从句，根据整个谓语部分的意思确定谓语首词的数，因为，无法从what从句本身看出来单/复数what本身表示单数或复数意义都可以。
●Which of them was right was quite clear to us.
●When men first made use of electricity is not exactly known.
●What we need is more time.（根据表语time，谓语首词用单数）
●What we need are doctors. （根据表语doctors，谓语首词用复数）
●What he says and does do not agree.他的言行不一致。（单数）
●What he says and does does not concern me.他的言行与我无关。（复数）
※链接：其它章节中讲到的主谓一致。1.总称名词和专有名词作主语时的主谓一致，参看第三章第三节冠词在总称名词/专有名词前的用法。2.不定代词( of)作主语时的主谓一致，参看第四章第四节不定代词的用法总表。3.“the 形容词”作主语时的主谓一致，参看第八章第二节“the 形容词”的用法。4.定语从句的引导词作主语时的主谓一致，参看第十一章第五节.what/which/that引导的定语从句。
三. 并列主语时的主谓一致，采用意义一致原则或就近一致原则
并列主语时，有些情况（如1）采用意义一致原则，有些情况（如2/3/4）采用就近一致原则（谓语的数与位置最近的主语的数保持一致）。
1.“and连接的两个词”作并列主语时，一般采用意义一致原则。
①如果and连接的两词表示两个事物，谓语用复数。
●Jim and I are close friends.吉姆和我是好朋友。
●Steam and ice are different forms of water.蒸汽和冰是水的不同形式。
②如果and连接的两词构成一个整体，谓语用单数。常见的这种组合有：a knife and fork一副刀叉，a watch and chain一只带表带的手表；fish and chips鱼和薯片，bread and butter黄油面包；trust and honest诚实，law and order法律和秩序，治安。如，
●Fish and chips is one of the most common English dishes.
对比：第①种情况中的of后的名词有冠词，第②种情况中的of后的名词没有冠词。
The writer and the professor have arrived.那个作家和那个教授已经到了。（两个人）
The writer and professor has arrived.既是作家又是教授的那个人到了。（一个人）
③one and a half：主复谓单（常考）。如，
●One and a half apples is left on the table.
④若and连接的两个词被each/every/no修饰，则谓语用单数。如，
●Every boy and every girl has the right to receive education.
（助记：此时Every boy and every girl=Every boy and girl=Everybody）
2.由and连接的词作并列主语，在here/there引起的倒装句中，采用就近一致原则。如，
●There is a knife and some apples.
●There are some apples and a knife.
●Where are your classmates and teacher?
3.由or等连接的词作并列主语，采用就近一致原则。这些词或短语有：or，either/whether…or，neither…nor，not only…but also，not…but。注意，在陈述句中，主语B与谓语就近一致；在疑问句中，主语A与谓语就近一致。如，
●Either you or he has lunch at school.（前四句是陈述句）
●Either he or you have lunch at school.
●Either you or he doesn’t have lunch at school.
●Either he or you don’t have lunch at school.
●Do either you or he have lunch at school.（疑问句。注意此句中的谓语首词是do）
4. more than one或many a…作主语，采用就近一致原则。如，
●More than one student (主语) has seen the film.
（但是，More students (主语) than one have seen the film.）
●Many a student fails to pass the examination.许多学生考试不及格。
分组对比练习
题组（排除干扰，找到主语）
1—6题，排除定语或状语的干扰，找到主语。7—8题，找到倒装句的主语。
1. Generally, students’ inner motivation with high expectations from others ____essential to their development. (2013,江苏) A．is B．are C．was D．were
句意：一般来说，学生们的内在动力以及来自他人的高度期望对他们的发展是重要的。分析：①主语是students’ inner motivation，谓语用单数。②一般现在时。选A。 2. Dr. Smith, together with his wife and daughters, _____visit Beijing this summer. (2009,陕西)
A. is going to B. are going to C. was going to D. were going to
分析：①主语是Dr. Smith，谓语用单数。②一般现在时。选A。
3. The father as well as his three children ____ skating on the frozen river every Sunday afternoon in winter.（2006,辽宁） A. is going B. go C. goes D. are going
分析：①主语是the father，谓语用单数。②一般现在时。选C。
4. Films，____the one you told me about yesterday or the one that will be on，____ not worth seeing.（1986,全国） A.including; is B.as well as; are C.besides; is D.such as; are
分析：主语是films，谓语用单数。选D。
5. Such poets as Shakespearewidely read, of whose works, however, somedifficult to understand. (2010,四川) A. are；are B. is；is C. are；is D. is：are
分析：①主语是Such poets (as Shakespeare)，谓语用复数。②主语是some (poets)，谓语用复数。选A。
6. All the employees except the manager ____ to work online at home.(2004,广东)
A．encourages B．encourage C．is encouraged D．are encouraged
句意：所有的雇工除了经理之外都被鼓励在家上网工作。分析：①主语是All the employees，谓语用复数。②一般现在时的被动语态。选D。
7. On the wall ___ two large portraits.（全国高考题）
A. hangs B. hang C. hanged D. hanging
分析：主语是portraits，谓语用复数。选B。
8. Among the crises that face humans ___ the lack of natural resources.(2013,上海)
A．is B．are C．is there D．are there 选A。
分析：主语是the lack (of natural resources)，谓语用单数。
题组（单个主语时的主谓一致）
1. Every possible means ____ to prevent the air pollution, but the sky is still not clear.（2000,上海春）
A. is used B. are used C. has been used D. have been used
分析：①主语为every possible means，谓语用单数。若主语为all possible means，则谓语用复数。②后句提示用现在完成时。选C。
2. Mathematics ____ the language of science.(全国高考题)
A. is B. are going C. are D. am 分析：单数。选A。
3. The population of Jiangsu ____ to more than twice what it was in 1949. The figure is now approaching 74 million.（2009,江苏） A. has grown B. have grown C. grew D. are growing 选A。
4. The population of the city ____two million. Two thirds of the population ____ workers.(be)
分析：前者填is（总体）,后者填are（成员）。
5. A survey of the opinions of experts ____ that three hours of outdoor exercise a week ____good for one's health.（2007,江西） A. show; are B. shows; is C. show; is D. shows; are
分析：①第一空，主语是a survey，谓语用单数。②第二空，主语是three hours of outdoor exercise a week（每周三小时的户外运动），是一种习惯，谓语用单数。选B。
6. Listening to loud music at rock concerts caused hearing loss in some teenagers. (2010,湖南).
A. is B. are C. has D. have
分析：①非谓语动词短语作主语时，谓语用单数。②现在完成时。选C。
7. When and where to go for the holiday ____ yet.(2003,上海春) A. are not decided B. have not been decided C. is not being decided D. has not been decided 选D。
8. All we need ____ a small piece of land where we can plant various kinds of fruit trees throughout the growing seasons of the year. （2014,湖南）A．are B．was C．is D．were
句意：我们所需要的就是一小块土地，在整个一年的生长季节，我们能够栽种各种不同的果树。
解析：All we need is a small piece of land. 选C。
题组（并列主语时的主谓一致）
1—2题，采用意义一致原则。3—4题，采用就近一致原则。5题，两个原则都用到了。
1. A poet and artist____ coming to speak to us about Chinese literature and paintings tomorrow afternoon. (2006,江苏) A. is B. are C. was D. were
句意：这位诗人兼艺术家明天下午将来到我们学校做关于中国文学和绘画的演讲。分析：主语是a poet and artist（一个既是诗人又是艺术家的人），谓语用单数。选A。
2. — Did you go to the show last night?— Yeah. Every boy and girl in the area ____ invited.(2008,陕西)
A. were B. have been C. has been D. was
分析：every boy and girl=everybody，谓语用单数。选D。
3. Either you or one of your students ____ to attend the meeting that is due tomorrow. (2009,湖南)
A. are B. is C. have D. be
分析：①主语是either…or…，采用就近一致原则。②主语是one of your students时，谓语用单数。选B。
4. It is reported that many a new house ____ at present in the disaster area.（2010,陕西）
A. are being built B. were being built C. was being built D. is being built
句意：据报道，目前在这个受灾地区正在建很多新房子。分析：①many a…作主语时，谓语用单数。②现在进行时。选D。
5. Not only I but Jane and Mary ____ tired of having one examination after another. (1989,全国).
A. is B. are C. am D. be
句意：不光是我，就连简和玛丽也烦了没完没了的考试。分析：主语是Not only I but Jane and Mary，谓语用复数。（对比：主语Not only Jane and Mary but also I→谓语动词am。）。这个题，先用了就近一致原则，后用了意义一致原则。选B。
本文作者：高伟，编著《魔方英语语法》（高中版和教研版）。
不仅仅是原创，而且最具创新讲解的原创！如果你喜欢此文，记得关注我哦！
