Lecture 2 Subject-verb Concord 1.Guiding Principles 1) Grammatical Concord Grammatical ConcordGrammatical Concord 2) Notional Concord Notional ConcordNotional Concord 3) Proximity Proximity Problems of concord with nouns ending 2. in – s in – s Problems of concord with collective nouns as subject 3.

The principle of grammatical concord refers to the rule that the verb must match its subject in number. If the subject is plural, the verb should take the plural form; if, on the other hand, the subject is singular or is a mass noun, the verb should take the singular form, eg: They have their own merits. Every boy comes on time. Much money is wasted. The principle of grammatical concord refers to the rule that the verb must match its subject in number. If the subject is plural, the verb should take the plural form; if, on the other hand, the subject is singular or is a mass noun, the verb should take the singular form, eg: They have their own merits. Every boy comes on time. Much money is wasted.

The principle of notional concord refers to the rule that the verb can sometimes agree with the subject according to the notion of number rather than to the actual presence of the grammatical marker for that notion, eg: The government have asked the country to decide by a vote. Sixteen miles seems like a long walk to me.

The principle of proximity denotes agreement of the verb with a closely preceding noun phrase in preference to agreement with the head of the noun phrase that functions as subject, eg: Either my brothers or my father is coming. No one except his own supporters agree with him. Neither Julia nor I am going.

1) Disease and game names ending in – s 1) Disease and game names ending in – s1) 1) 2) Subject names ending in – ics 2) Subject names ending in – ics2) 3) Geographical names endings in – s 3) Geographical names endings in – s3) 4) 4) Other nouns ending in -s 4) Other nouns ending in -s 4)

Arthritis （关节炎）, bronchitis （支气管 炎）, diabetes （糖尿病）, mumps （腮腺 炎）, phlebitis （静脉炎）, rickets （软骨 病）, 这类以 -s 结尾的疾病名称作主语时， 谓语动词通常用作 单数 。 Arthritis （关节炎）, bronchitis （支气管 炎）, diabetes （糖尿病）, mumps （腮腺 炎）, phlebitis （静脉炎）, rickets （软骨 病）, 这类以 -s 结尾的疾病名称作主语时， 谓语动词通常用作 单数 。 Arthritis causes great pain in the joints of the patient. Arthritis causes great pain in the joints of the patient. The diabetes is a kind of chronic disease. The diabetes is a kind of chronic disease.

某些以 -ics 结尾的学科名称作主语时，如 physics, mathematics, mechanics, optics, acoustics, politics statistics, economics, linguistics, athletics 等, 谓语动词 通 常用作 单 数。 e.g. Physics is a fundamental subject in science. Physics is a fundamental subject in science. The third world economics is promising. The third world economics is promising. Mathematics is an interesting subject. Mathematics is an interesting subject. Athletics is a required course for students of all grades. Athletics is a required course for students of all grades.但如果这类名词表示学科以外的其它含义，可作复数用e.g. Athletics （体育运动） have been greatly encouraged at Athletics （体育运动） have been greatly encouraged at this college. The economics （经济效益） of the project are still at The economics （经济效益） of the project are still at issue.

某些以 -s 结尾的地理名称，如果是 国名 ，如 the United States ， the Netherlands 等，因其是单一政治实体， 所以谓语动词用作 单数 。 e.g. The United States was hit by the Great Depression in 1930s'. The United States was hit by the Great Depression in 1930s'. In early January 1996 the Netherlands was hit by its worst storm since In early January 1996 the Netherlands was hit by its worst storm since 但如果是 群岛、山脉、海峡、瀑布 等地理名称作主语，谓语 动词用作 复数 。 e.g. The Himalayas have a magnificent variety of plant. The Himalayas have a magnificent variety of plant. The Straits of Gibraltar have not lost their strategic importance. The Straits of Gibraltar have not lost their strategic importance. The Niagara Falls are perhaps the most splendid waterfall in the world. The Niagara Falls are perhaps the most splendid waterfall in the world.

英语中还有一些以 - s 结尾的名词，如 archives ， arms, clothes, contents, eaves, fireworks, goods, minutes, morals, remains stairs, suburbs, thanks, wages 这类名词作主语时，谓语动词通常用复数。 e.g. The archives of the country are kept in the Department of Security. The archives of the country are kept in the Department of Security. The contents of the book are most amusing. The contents of the book are most amusing. High wages often result in high prices. High wages often result in high prices. My thanks are sincere. My thanks are sincere.

audience, committee, crew, family, government, jury 等。 谓语动词的数取决于主语的意义： 主语表示整体时视为单数，谓语动词用 单数； 主语表示集体中的个体成员时视为复数，谓语动词用 复数。 The audience was/were enthusiastic on the opening night of the play. The audience was/were enthusiastic on the opening night of the play. The committee has/have decided to dismiss him. The committee has/have decided to dismiss him. 4) 如果主语是由 a committee of /a panel of /a (the) board of + 复数名词 构成，随后的动词通常用 单数 。 A committee of twelve men is to discuss the matter. A committee of twelve men is to discuss the matter. A panel of experts has considered the situation. A panel of experts has considered the situation.

Conclusion The concepts of three principles guiding subject-verb concord: grammatical concord, notional concord and proximity concord.

Assignment 1. Exercise 2A 2B 2. Remember the rules and practice more