majority作主語時(shí)謂語用單數(shù)還是復(fù)數(shù)

1. the majority表示“大多數(shù)”時(shí)，是集合名詞；若單獨(dú)用作主語，謂語動(dòng)詞可用單數(shù)（若強(qiáng)調(diào)整體）或復(fù)數(shù)（若強(qiáng)調(diào)個(gè)體）。如：

The majority has [have] seen the film. 多數(shù)人看過這部電影。

But the majority were [was] on Ben’s side. 但多數(shù)人都站在貝恩一邊。

但是若單獨(dú)用的 the majority后跟有復(fù)數(shù)表語，則謂語通常要用復(fù)數(shù)。如：

The majority are young people. 大多數(shù)是年輕人。

2. “the majority of+復(fù)數(shù)名詞”用作主語時(shí)，謂語動(dòng)詞通常用復(fù)數(shù)，偶爾也可以用單數(shù)。如：

The majority of them are professional drivers. 他們大多是職業(yè)司機(jī)。

The majority of criminals are non-violent. 大多數(shù)罪犯是不使用暴力的。

The majority of students were [was] indifferent to the political meeting. 大多數(shù)學(xué)生對政治集會(huì)漠不關(guān)心。

3. “the majority of+集合名詞”用作主語時(shí)，謂語動(dòng)詞可用單數(shù)（視為整體）或復(fù)數(shù)（考慮其個(gè)體）。如：

The vast majority of the population lives [live] in utter misery. 這里的絕大多數(shù)人生活在極度貧困之中。

4. “the majority of+不可數(shù)名詞”用作主語時(shí)，謂語動(dòng)詞總是用單數(shù)。如：

The majority of the work has been finished. 大部分工作已完成。

The majority of the damage is easy to repair. 這次的損害大部分容易補(bǔ)救。

注：按傳統(tǒng)語法，the majority of只用于修飾可數(shù)名詞復(fù)數(shù)或具有復(fù)數(shù)意義的集合名詞，但在現(xiàn)代英語中它也可用于修飾不可數(shù)名詞。

5. “a majority of+復(fù)數(shù)名詞”用作主語時(shí)，謂語動(dòng)詞通常用復(fù)數(shù)。如：

A majority of visitors have arrived. 大多數(shù)參觀者已經(jīng)到了。

A clear majority of voters were in favour of the motion. 絕大多數(shù)選民贊成這一動(dòng)議。