6.表示时间、重量、长度、价值等的单位名词,尽管是复数形式,如果作整体看待,动词都用单数形式。如果看作组成该数量的一个一个的个体,则动词用复数。
如:Twenty miles is a long way to walk. 走二十英里可是很长的一段路。
Ten years is a long time。十年很长。
Eight minutes is enough. 八分钟够了。
Twelve dollars is too dear. 十二美圆太贵了。
There are six silver dollars in each of the stacking. 每只袜子里有六个一美元的银币。
7. “the+形容词”表示一类人时,谓语动词用复数。表示抽象概念或指个别事物时谓语动词用单数。
如:The old are well taken care of. 老人得到很好的照顾。
The beautiful is laved by all. 人人都爱美。
8. 如果主语由"a kind/sort/type of this kind/sort/type of +名词”组成,不管名词是单数还是复数,动词通常用单数。
如:This kind of man annoys me. =This kind of men annoys me. 这种人让我烦。
This kind of apple is very expensive. = This kind of apples is…这种苹果很贵。
类似的还有:a portion of(一部分),a series of(一系列),a pile of(一堆),a panel of (一个小组委员会),
如:A series of accidents has happened here. 这里发生过一系列事故。
9. means作“方法、手段”讲时,单复数同形,其前面有each, every, neither, either,等单数a念的定语时,谓语动词用单数;若有all, both,these等复数概念的定语时谓语动词用复数。
None of the means作主语时,谓语动词通常用单数。
如:There is/are no means of learning what is happening. 没法知道正在发生什么事。
No means is /are left untried. 没有没试过的方法了。
Every means is to an end. 每一种手段都能达到一种目的。
A bicycle is a means of transport. 自行车是一种交通手段。
All possible means have/Every possible means has been tried.所有的方法都试过了。