and一词在英语里使用频率极高。它几乎可以连接任何语法作用相同的词语或句子,表示一种"追加"的关系。当and连接两个单个名词作主语时,一般情况下,句子的主语就是复数概念,其谓语动词要遵循语法一致原则,用复数形式。但是,在某些情况下,由于and连接的并列主语因其结构及含义不同,要求谓语动词的数也不同,须遵循意义一致的原则来判别。
1如果and连接的是两个单数可数名词并且两个名词前均有冠词,就意味着这是两个人或物,谓语动词要用复数。例如:
Behind the wall standa house and a garage.在大墙的后面有一座房子和一个车库。
The director and the secretary were present at the meeting.总监和秘书都出席了会议。
2.如果and连接的两个可数单数名词,前一个有冠词,后一个没有冠词,一般来说,这意味着是一个人或事物,谓语动词要用单数。例如:
A painter and decorator was painting the walls of the house.一位油漆工兼装璜工正在粉刷房子的墙壁。
The editor and publisher of the magazine is a friend of my father.那家杂志的编辑兼出版商是我父亲的朋友。
3如果and连接的两个名词是不可数名词,而且前面都没有冠词,若两个词连用表示一个事物或一个概念,谓语动词要用单数;如果两个词表示的是两个事物或两个概念,谓语动词要用复数。例如:
Courage and resolutionarethe spirit and soul of virtue.勇气和决心是品德的精神和灵魂。
Trial and erroristhe source of knowledge.反复尝试,不断摸索,是知识的源泉。
This bread and butteristoo thick.这块涂了黄油的面包太厚了。
4.当and连接的两个名词前都有each, every,many a,no等单数概念的限定词修饰时(第二个名词前的修饰语有时可以省略),谓语动词要用单数。例如:
Every hour and every minuteisprecious tous.对我们来说,每一个小时,每一分钟都是珍贵的。
Many a boy and many a girlhasread that novel.许多男孩和女孩都读过那本小说。
During the Christmas season,every train and airlinerwascrowded.在圣诞节期间,每列火车,每班飞机都载满旅客。
Exercise:
1.Early to bed and early to rise ________ agood habit.
A.are B.isC.was D.were
2.A needle and thread ________ been found onthe floor.
A.isB.was C.has D.have
3.The water and the food ________ .
A.was run out B.were run out
C.was running out D.are running out
4.A writer and journalist ____ there twice.
A.have beenB.has beenC.has goneD.have gone
5.Every man and woman ________ good reason to be proud of the work done by theirparents.
A.hasB.haveC.is havingD.are having
6.Skating and skiing _______ very beneficialsports in winter.
A.isB.are C.were D.was
7.War and peace ________ a constant theme inhistory.
A.isB.are C.were D.was
8.All work and no play ________ Jack a dullboy.
A.is makingB.are makingC.makeD.makes
9.No teacher and no student ____ admittedinto the club.
A.haveB.hasC.isD.are
10. The graduate student and assistant often _______check the exercise books.
A.helpB.ishelping C.was helpingD.helps
Key:1.B2.C3.D4.B5.A6.B7.A 8.D 9.C 10.D