规则9 主语的数决定动词的数[rule-9]
介于主语与动词之间的词不影响动词的数。
- 误：The bittersweet flavor of youth—its trials, its joys, its adventures, its challenges—are not soon forgotten.
- 正：The bittersweet flavor of youth—its trials, its joys, its adventures, its challenges—is not soon forgotten.
一个常见的失误是：当关系词作主语时，在“one of…”或类似表达后面的关系从句中使用单数动词形式。
- 误：One of the ablest scientists who has attacked this problem
- 正：One of the ablest scientists who have attacked this problem
- 误：One of those people who is never ready on time
- 正：One of those people who are never ready on time
在each、either、everyone、everybody、neither、nobody、someone之后用单数动词形式。
- Everybody thinks he has a unique sense of humor.
- Although both clocks strike cheerfully, neither keeps good time.
对于none，当该词意为“no one”或“not one”时，用单数动词。
- 误：None of us are perfect.
- 正：None of us is perfect.
当none暗示不止一个事物或人时，通常用复数动词。
None are so fallible as those who are sure they're right.
由and连接两个或更多名词构成的复合主语，几乎总是需要复数动词。
The walrus and the carpenter were walking close at hand.
但某些复合词——常常是陈词滥调——如此不可分割，以至于被视为一个整体，因而用单数动词；由each或every限定的复合主语也是如此。
- The long and the short of it is…
- Bread and butter was all she served.
- Give and take is essential to a happy household.
- Every window, picture, and mirror was smashed.
即使有其他名词通过with、as well as、in addition to、except、together with和no less than与单数主语相连，该单数主语仍保持单数。
His speech as well as his manner is objectionable.
系动词与其主语的数一致。
- What is wanted is a few more pairs of hands.
- The trouble with truth is its many varieties.
有些看起来是复数的名词通常被理解为单数，并配单数动词。
- Politics is an art, not a science.
- The Republican Headquarters is on this side of the tracks.
但：
The general's quarters are across the river.
在这些情况下，作者只能去学会这些习语。The contents of a book是单数。The contents of a jar既可以是单数也可以是复数，取决于罐子里装的是什么——果酱还是弹珠。