couple作主语时的主谓一致问题

发布时间:2022-05-21T09:59:10 英语语法

couple作主语时的主谓一致问题

 

couple表示“夫妇”“夫妻”且用作主语时,谓语动词可用单数(视为整体,尤其是当有each, every, only one等修饰时)或复数(考虑其个体)。如:

The couple were married last week. 这一对夫妇是上星期结的婚。

Each couple was asked to complete a form. 要求每对夫妇填一张表。

有时语境上不明确强调个体还是整体,则用单数或复数均可:

The couple is [are] spending its [their] honeymoon. 这对新婚夫妻在度蜜月。

另外,couple还可表示“一些”“几个”,此时表示复数意义,用作主语时,谓语动词要用复数。如:

我的几个朋友准备开办一个旅行社。

误:A couple of my friends is going to open a travel agency.

正:A couple of my friends are going to open a travel agency.