并列結構作主語時謂語動詞的數

1. 由and和both...and連接的并列主語

此時謂語動詞通常用復數。如：

Jim and Mary are both interested in it. 吉姆和瑪麗都對此感興趣。

Both brother and sister are college students. 兄妹倆都是大學生。

【注意】

(1) 當由and連接的兩個并列主語受each, every, no的修飾時，謂語用單數：

Every boy and (every) girl likes the book. 每個男孩女孩都喜歡這本書。

No desk and (no) chair was seen in the room. 房間里不見桌椅。

(2) 當and連接兩個數相加時，謂語動詞可用單數或復數：

Six and eight makes [make] fourteen. 六加八等于十四。

(3) 當and連接的兩個的詞語指同一個人或事物時，謂語通常要用單數：

A cart and horse was seen in the distance. 遠處看見一輛馬車。

2. 由or, nor, either...or, neither…nor, not only…but also, not…but等連接的并列主語

此時謂語動詞通常與最靠近的主語保持一致(即遵循就近原則)。如：

He or I am wrong. 不是他錯了，就是我錯了。

Either you or he has taken it. 不是你拿了就是他拿了。

Not only the children but also the mother wants to go. 不僅孩子們想去，母親也想去。

注意這類句型的疑問句形式：

Were you or he there? 當時是你還是他在那兒?

Are either you or he to blame? 是怪你還是怪他?

【注意】

在非正式文體中，個別結構(如neither…nor)連接主語時，謂語可用復數：

Neither his father nor his mother have [has] come. 他的爸爸和媽媽都沒來。

3. 由as well as, as much as, rather than , more than, no less than 等連接的并連主語

此時謂語動詞通常與前面一個主語保持一致。如：

The teacher as well as the students has read it 不僅學生讀過它，老師也讀過。

The teacher rather than the students is to blame. 應受責備的是老師而不是學生。