3 u nit B ACK TO THE PAST G rammar and usage

E ither…or, n either…nor

You must pay attention that either...or..., neither…nor… can connect the coordinate subject, verb, object and adverbial in sentences.

1. Connecting the coordinate subjects

Either your mother or your father, or both your parents can come with you.

1. Connecting the coordinate subjects Either your mother or your father, or both your parents can come with you. Either Tim or his brothers have to water the trees every other day.

1. Connecting the coordinate subjects Either your mother or your father, or both your parents can come with you. Either Tim or his brothers have to water the trees every other day. Neither your aunt nor I have any other thought but what is the best for you?

1. Connecting the coordinate subjects Either your mother or your father, or both your parents can come with you. Either Tim or his brothers have to water the trees every other day. Neither your aunt nor I have any other thought but what is the best for you? But neither his daughter nor his son would listen to his suggestions.

2. Connecting the coordinate objects

At school we may have either rice or noodles for supper every day.

2. Connecting the coordinate objects At school we may have either rice or noodles for supper every day. You may choose either physics or chemistry as your major.

2. Connecting the coordinate objects At school we may have either rice or noodles for supper every day. You may choose either physics or chemistry as your major. They have neither steam heat nor running water.

2. Connecting the coordinate objects At school we may have either rice or noodles for supper every day. You may choose either physics or chemistry as your major. They have neither steam heat nor running water. I won’t take a trip for I have neither the time nor money.

3. Connecting the coordinate predicates or predicatives

3. Connecting the coordinate predicates or predicatives “Either go to the concert or stay at home. Don’t go anywhere else,” father shouted.

3. Connecting the coordinate predicates or predicatives “Either go to the concert or stay at home. Don’t go anywhere else,” father shouted.

3. Connecting the coordinate predicates or predicatives “Either go to the concert or stay at home. Don’t go anywhere else,” father shouted. The books there are either books on travel or detective novels.

3. Connecting the coordinate predicates or predicatives “Either go to the concert or stay at home. Don’t go anywhere else,” father shouted. The books there are either books on travel or detective novels. That is neither my fault nor his.

3. Connecting the coordinate predicates or predicatives “Either go to the concert or stay at home. Don’t go anywhere else,” father shouted. The books there are either books on travel or detective novels. That is neither my fault nor his. He was neither clever nor stupid, but good enough at his work.

3. Connecting the coordinate predicates or predicatives “Either go to the concert or stay at home. Don’t go anywhere else,” father shouted. The books there are either books on travel or detective novels. That is neither my fault nor his. He was neither clever nor stupid, but good enough at his work. One third of the men could neither read nor write.

4. Connecting the coordinate adverbials or attributes:

4. Connecting the coordinate adverbials or attributes: We are going to return to our home town either today or tomorrow. You may take either the blue or the green one.

4. Connecting the coordinate adverbials or attributes: We are going to return to our home town either today or tomorrow. You may take either the blue or the green one. The two men walked very fast, looking neither to the right nor to the left.

4. Connecting the coordinate adverbials or attributes: We are going to return to our home town either today or tomorrow. You may take either the blue or the green one. The two men walked very fast, looking neither to the right nor to the left. Paul came at the right time, neither too early nor too late.

5. Connecting the coordinate clauses:

Either you must improve your work, or I will dismiss you.

5. Connecting the coordinate clauses: Either you must improve your work, or I will dismiss you. Either you cut it out, or we shall have to wash our hands of the whole business.

例 1 Not only I but Jane and Mary ______ tired of having one examination after another. A. is B. are C. am D. be

例 1 Not only I but Jane and Mary ______ tired of having one examination after another. A. is B. are C. am D. be 析 : 由 “or, either…or, neither…nor, not…but, not only… but also” 连接两个 并列主语时，动词与靠近的主语保持一致。

例 1 Not only I but Jane and Mary ______ tired of having one examination after another. A. is B. are C. am D. be 析 : 由 “or, either…or, neither…nor, not…but, not only… but also” 连接两个 并列主语时，动词与靠近的主语保持一致。

______ you or he the teacher of English? Neither my sister nor my mother ______ present at the meeting. A. Are, was B. Is, were C. Are, are D. Is, is e.g.

______ you or he the teacher of English? Neither my sister nor my mother ______ present at the meeting. A. Are, was B. Is, were C. Are, are D. Is, is e.g.

S ubject-verb a greement

例 2 A library with five thousand books ______ to the nation as a gift. A. is offered B. has offered C. are offered D. have offered

例 2 A library with five thousand books ______ to the nation as a gift. A. is offered B. has offered C. are offered D. have offered 析 : 一般说来，主语后带有 with, together with, as well as, along with, in addition to, like, including, but, rather than, no less than 等词语时，其谓语动词随主语。 The monitor as well as his classmates was given a reward for working hard. e.g.

例 2 A library with five thousand books ______ to the nation as a gift. A. is offered B. has offered C. are offered D. have offered 析 : 一般说来，主语后带有 with, together with, as well as, along with, in addition to, like, including, but, rather than, no less than 等词语时，其谓语动词随主语。 The monitor as well as his classmates was given a reward for working hard. e.g.

例 3 When and where to build the new factory ______ yet. A. is not decided B. are not decided C. has not decided D. have not decided

例 3 When and where to build the new factory ______ yet. A. is not decided B. are not decided C. has not decided D. have not decided 析 : 当 when 和 where 加不定式指的是同一 件事时，谓语动词用单数。不定式，动名 词短语或从句作主语，谓语动词用单数。 Reading aloud is very important in learning a foreign language. e.g.

例 3 When and where to build the new factory ______ yet. A. is not decided B. are not decided C. has not decided D. have not decided 析 : 当 when 和 where 加不定式指的是同一 件事时，谓语动词用单数。不定式，动名 词短语或从句作主语，谓语动词用单数。 Reading aloud is very important in learning a foreign language. e.g.

例 4 Every boy and every girl ______ that each day and each hour brings _____duty A. know, their B. knows, their C. knows, its D. know, its

例 4 Every boy and every girl ______ that each day and each hour brings _____duty A. know, their B. knows, their C. knows, its D. know, its 析： every/each/ no+ 单数名词 +and every/ each / no+ 单数名词短语做主语，谓语动 词用单数。 No teacher and no student agrees to have classes on Sunday. e.g.

例 4 Every boy and every girl ______ that each day and each hour brings _____duty A. know, their B. knows, their C. knows, its D. know, its 析： every/each/ no+ 单数名词 +and every/ each / no+ 单数名词短语做主语，谓语动 词用单数。 No teacher and no student agrees to have classes on Sunday. e.g.

例 5 We live day by day, but in the great things, the time of days and weeks _____ so small that a day is unimportant. 07 湖南 A. is B. are C. has been D. have been 例 6 A survey of the opinions of experts __ that three hours of outdoor exercise a week ____ good for one’s health. 07 江西 A. show; are B. shows; is C. show; is D. shows; are

例 5 We live day by day, but in the great things, the time of days and weeks _____ so small that a day is unimportant. 07 湖南 A. is B. are C. has been D. have been 例 6 A survey of the opinions of experts __ that three hours of outdoor exercise a week ____ good for one’s health. 07 江西 A. show; are B. shows; is C. show; is D. shows; are

例 5 We live day by day, but in the great things, the time of days and weeks _____ so small that a day is unimportant. 07 湖南 A. is B. are C. has been D. have been 例 6 A survey of the opinions of experts __ that three hours of outdoor exercise a week ____ good for one’s health. 07 江西 A. show; are B. shows; is C. show; is D. shows; are

Ⅰ由 and 连接的名词作主语时 :

1. 由 and 连接的两个不同概念的名词作主语 时，动词要用复数： Both you and I are going to attend the meeting. When he will go to BJ and how he will go to BJ have not been decided yet. e.g.

2. 如果后面加作为插入语，谓语也用单数 形式。 Black, and not Mary, was chosen monitor. She, and not you, is going to speak at the meeting. All work, and no play, has made you a fool. e.g.

3. 以 many a 或 more than one 修饰的单数名 词后面的谓语用单数形式，但其意义是 复数性的。 Many a boy is fond of playing football. More than one student enjoys folk-music. e.g.

The boy and the girl were each given an apple. e.g. 注：在以 each ， every ， no 修饰的并列主 语中的两个名词前不能加冠词。如果并列 的两个名词前分别加定冠词变成复数概念， 此时，放在后面作同位语，动词仍用复数 形式。

4. 当 and 连接的为同一人、事或概念时，这 时 and 后的名词前没有冠词，其动词用单 数： The singer and composer is coming to our school. Bread and butter is often served for breakfast. Pork and Chinese cabbage is one of my favourite dishes. e.g.

常见的由 and 连接的指一个概念的有： The needle and thread, salt and water, the folk and knife, soap and water, iron and steel ， a watch and chain, the bread and butter, truth and honesty, a cup and saucer （茶托）等。

Ⅱ当主语后面接说明主语的 修饰词或插入语时：

谓语动词的数不受修饰成分的影响，仍与 主语一致。常见的有： with, along with, together with,as well as, like, no less than, rather than,more than, as much as, but, except, besides, including 等。

Bamboo, like a tree, grows tall and straight. The house, including the garden and the garage, was sold out. e.g.

Ⅲ 当集合名词做主语时：

根据句子内容，谓语动词既可是单数，也 可是复数。常用人的集合名词有： group, class, team, family, nation, army, audience, crowd, public, government My family is a happy family. My family all love music. / The audience was in good order. ( 指整体状态 ). The audience were greatly encouraged. ( 指具体的人 ) e.g.

注：有些集合名词如 people 、 cattle 等在任 何情况下都与复数形式搭配。

Ⅳ 就近原则：

以连词 or ， either…or ， nor ， neither…nor ， not only…but (also)... 连接的名词或代词 作主语时，谓语与其相邻的保持一致。 Among the boys, one or two are able to jump 1.6 metres. There is a bed, a table and two chairs in her room. e.g.

Ⅴ 以某些 “ 不定代词或 表示数量的词 +of+ 名词 ” 结构， 谓语形式要与 of 后边的名词保持一致。

70 percent of the surface is covered with water. 70 percent of the farmers have improved their living conditions. The rest of his journey was pleasant. The rest of the girls are fond of music. All of your work is well done. All of your answers are correct. e.g.

注意 1. one of + 复数名词 + （单）谓语，如： One of the students is from the south. 2. one of+ 复数名词 + 定语从句（从句动词 用复数），如： He is one of the boys who are ready to help others.

注意 3. the (only) one of+ 名词（复数） + 定语 从句，从句中谓语动词用单数，表示众多 中只有一个，如： He is the only one of the students who comes early. 4. a number of 和 the number of The number of the students in the school is 1,250. A number of students are waiting outside the gate.

Ⅵ “the + adj.( 分词或数词 )” 结构起名词作用时：

如果这个结构表示的是一类人，谓语动词 用复数形式，如果这个结构表示抽象概念 （或具体的某个人），谓语用单数形式。 The old are being taken good care of. There is an old man and a young man in the room now. The old is the father of the young. The unexpected was not prevented in those days.

Ⅶ 表示重量、距离、金钱、 一段时间及由 one and a half 修饰的 复数名词作主语时，谓语动词用单数形式：

Twenty dollars isn’t enough to buy the book. Ten miles isn’t long. Five times five is twenty-five. One and a half apples is lying on the plate.

练习练习 e xercise

1. Do you know _____________. A. what is the police looking for B. what are the police looking for C. what the police are looking for D. what the police is looking for

1. Do you know _____________. A. what is the police looking for B. what are the police looking for C. what the police are looking for D. what the police is looking for

2. ____he ____I finished the experiment? A. Have neither/nor B. Has neither/nor C. Have neither/or D. Have either /or

2. ____he ____I finished the experiment? A. Have neither/nor B. Has neither/nor C. Have neither/or D. Have either /or

3. The old ____ well looked after by the government in China. A. is B. are C. has been D. was

3. The old ____ well looked after by the government in China. A. is B. are C. has been D. was

4. The secretary and manager _____ very busy now. A. is B. are C. has been D. were

4. The secretary and manager _____ very busy now. A. is B. are C. has been D. were

5. Both the secretary and the manager ________ agreed to attend the meeting. A. has B. have C. are D. is

5. Both the secretary and the manager ________ agreed to attend the meeting. A. has B. have C. are D. is

6. During the holidays every train and ship ______ crowded. A. are B. were C. was D. has

6. During the holidays every train and ship ______ crowded. A. are B. were C. was D. has

7. Tom as well as two of his classmates _____ invited to the party. A. was B. were C. have been D. had been

7. Tom as well as two of his classmates _____ invited to the party. A. was B. were C. have been D. had been

8. Most of his spare time _____spent in reading. A. are B. were C. was D. have been

8. Most of his spare time _____spent in reading. A. are B. were C. was D. have been

9. Ten thousand dollars ______ quite a large sum. A. are B. is C. has D. have

9. Ten thousand dollars ______ quite a large sum. A. are B. is C. has D. have

10. About 20 percent of the work ______ done yesterday. A. are B. is C. were D. was

10. About 20 percent of the work ______ done yesterday. A. are B. is C. were D. was

11. The United States _____ founded in A. was B. is C. were D. are

11. The United States _____ founded in A. was B. is C. were D. are

12. This pair of shoes _____ made in our factory. A. is B. are C. have been D. had been

12. This pair of shoes _____ made in our factory. A. is B. are C. have been D. had been

13. No one except my parents ________ anything about it. A. know B. knows C. is knowing D. have known

13. No one except my parents ________ anything about it. A. know B. knows C. is knowing D. have known

14. A number of students ______ from the south. A. are B. is C. have D. has

14. A number of students ______ from the south. A. are B. is C. have D. has

15. The number of students from the south _____ small. A. are B. is C. have D. has

15. The number of students from the south _____ small. A. are B. is C. have D. has

16. John is the only one of the students in our class who ____ to school on foot. A. go B. goes C. have gone D. are going

16. John is the only one of the students in our class who ____ to school on foot. A. go B. goes C. have gone D. are going

17. It is not I who ______ wrong. A. is B. are C. am D. has been

17. It is not I who ______ wrong. A. is B. are C. am D. has been

18. He said that his family ____ all very well. A. are B. were C. is D. was

18. He said that his family ____ all very well. A. are B. were C. is D. was

19. One and a half apples _______ on the table. A. is leaving B. is left C. are left D. left

19. One and a half apples _______ on the table. A. is leaving B. is left C. are left D. left

20. Where ____ that five pounds I lent you? A. is B. have C. was D. were

20. Where ____ that five pounds I lent you? A. is B. have C. was D. were

21. " I " ____the ninth letter of the English alphabet. A. are B. be C. is D. am

21. " I " ____the ninth letter of the English alphabet. A. are B. be C. is D. am

22. Six times seven ______ forty-two. A. are B. is C. have D. was

22. Six times seven ______ forty-two. A. are B. is C. have D. was

23. The United States_____made up of 50 states, one of which______Kentucky. A. is/are B. is/is C. are/is D. are/are

23. The United States_____made up of 50 states, one of which______Kentucky. A. is/are B. is/is C. are/is D. are/are

24. The population of the city__increasing fast. A. were B. be C. is D. are

24. The population of the city__increasing fast. A. were B. be C. is D. are

25. One third of the population here____ workers. A. is B. have C. be D. are

25. One third of the population here____ workers. A. is B. have C. be D. are

26. Now the police ____ searching the town for the lost child. A. was B. were C. is D. are

26. Now the police ____ searching the town for the lost child. A. was B. were C. is D. are

27. Two of them will go first, the rest ____ to stay. A. is B. are C. used D. have

27. Two of them will go first, the rest ____ to stay. A. is B. are C. used D. have

28. He was the one of the students who ______ praised at the meeting. A. was B. were C. is D. are

28. He was the one of the students who ______ praised at the meeting. A. was B. were C. is D. are

29. The scientist and professor ____ left for Russia. A. have B. has C. is D. are

29. The scientist and professor ____ left for Russia. A. have B. has C. is D. are

30. Many a boy ______ made such a funny experiment. A. have B. are C. has D. is

30. Many a boy ______ made such a funny experiment. A. have B. are C. has D. is

31. Every means _______ been tried since then. A. has B. were C. was D. has been

31. Every means _______ been tried since then. A. has B. were C. was D. has been

Read Part A on page 51. It is another of Ann's diary entries. Try your best to understand the article and choose the correct verb forms. Then go through Part B on page 51. It is a letter in a local newspaper. Read the letter and finish the exercise individually, using the correct forms of the given verbs.