在《動詞與主語必須呼應(yīng)——動詞的運用有學(xué)問》一文里，談到動詞與主語呼應(yīng)問題，并提出五個指導(dǎo)原則，以避免這方面的錯誤。但是指導(dǎo)歸指導(dǎo)，錯誤還是像不速之客，如影隨形，頻頻來訪。在學(xué)生作業(yè)中，這種錯誤排列第一。其他場合也常見到動詞與主語不搭配的語病。下面這廣告第一句中的形容詞分句里便出現(xiàn)了這種錯誤：

“Dear Owner/Resident, we have ready buyers who is upgrading.”

根據(jù)英語語法規(guī)律，形容詞分句(也叫定語從句，adjective clause)里的動詞必須和主句里的先行詞(antecedent)呼應(yīng)。先行詞是單數(shù)，形容詞分句中的動詞便是單數(shù);先行詞是復(fù)數(shù)，形容詞分句中的動詞便是復(fù)數(shù)。例如：

① Do you know the woman who is walking the dog?(陪狗散步)

② Those who have performed well in the tournament will be rewarded.

在①里，先行詞 the woman 是單數(shù)，形容詞分句里的動詞 is 也是單數(shù)。反之，②里的先行詞 those 是復(fù)數(shù)，who 后面的動詞也是復(fù)數(shù) have.

根據(jù)這原則，who is upgrading 中的 is 便要改為 are 了。

動詞與主語不呼應(yīng)的錯誤比比皆是。除了上述例子外，常見的錯誤還有下面幾種類型：

③ Has Mr and Mrs Li decided to emigrate?

④ Do your uncle live in Malaysia?

⑤ There is several beautiful paintings on the wall.

⑥ The news of Henry’s resignation were received with great surprise.

⑦ What we are doing are good for the nation as a whole.

⑧ Someone have forgotten to turn off the light.

在③里，助動詞 has 和復(fù)數(shù)主語 Mr and Mrs Li 不符，要改為 have.第④句里的 do 和 your uncle 不搭配，要改為 does.第⑤ 句里的 is 和真正主語 paintings 的數(shù)不一致，應(yīng)改為 are.這個句子也可改變?yōu)椋骸癝everal beautiful paintings are on the wall”。在⑥里的主語 news，其形式是復(fù)數(shù)，但意思是單數(shù)，動詞也要單數(shù)的 was received 才行。⑦里的主語是名詞分句(noun clause)，是個單數(shù)的單位，動詞也要單數(shù)的 is，不是 are.在⑧ 里的主語 someone 是單數(shù)代名詞，隨后的動詞必須是 has forgotten 才對。

上述動詞和主語不一致的毛病，屢見不鮮;即使英語能力好的人，也難幸免。

下面這句英語很好，但是里面的動詞對嗎?是 has 還是 have 呢?

“Its unique concept and impressive magnitude has made it the talking point of the region.”

既然這句的主語是由 concept 和 magnitude 組成，便是復(fù)數(shù)，謂語動詞當然也要復(fù)數(shù) have 才是。