正是由于不定代詞的不定性,特別是那些既可以指代單數(shù)又可以指代復(fù)數(shù)的不定代詞,使如何正確地使用謂語形式,以及相應(yīng)的任何人稱代詞在數(shù)量或性別上如何保持一致變得含糊不清。以下例舉不定代詞的四個(gè)坑,相信很多人都遇到過。 一、很多人認(rèn)為 none 只指代單數(shù),其實(shí)不然,它既可以指代單數(shù),也可以指代復(fù)數(shù),例如: 如果 none 被理解為“not one of”,譯為“沒有一個(gè)”,那么謂語用單數(shù),例如: 1. None of the students is expected to get an A. 預(yù)計(jì)沒有一個(gè)學(xué)生會(huì)得到 A. 如果 none 被理解為“not any of”,譯為“沒有任何”,那么謂語用復(fù)數(shù),但是這種翻譯不太好,而且很容易讓寫作的人避開使用 none 來指代復(fù)數(shù),例如: 2. None of the students are expected to get As or Bs. 預(yù)計(jì)沒有任何學(xué)生會(huì)得到多個(gè) A 或 B. 再看幾個(gè)例句: 3. None of the printers is working. 沒有一個(gè)打印機(jī)可以用。 解析:用 is 沒錯(cuò),但是感覺顯得尷尬。 4. None of the printers are working. 沒有任何打印機(jī)可以用。 二、either 和 neither 雖然涉及到兩個(gè)人或物,但是它們都是指代單數(shù)的,例如: 1. Either of the sisters is welcome to attend. 歡迎姐妹倆中的任何一個(gè)參加。 2. Neither of my brothers wants to be left at home. 三、有些不定代詞如 all,some 和 any 等,它們既可以指代單數(shù)的,也可以指代復(fù)數(shù)的,例如:1. More of them are required.解析:them 是復(fù)數(shù),所以 more 這里指代復(fù)數(shù)。 2. More of it is required. 解析:it 是單數(shù),所以 more 這里指代單數(shù)。 當(dāng)這類的不定代詞跟集體名詞連用時(shí),情況就變得復(fù)雜了。一般原則是,如果設(shè)想是一個(gè)整體,那么就用單數(shù);如果設(shè)想是個(gè)體,那么就用復(fù)數(shù),例如: 3. Most of the group is leaving.解析:設(shè)想要走的人是一個(gè)整體,用單數(shù)。4. Most of the group are waving their national flags.解析:設(shè)想很多在揮舞國旗的人,用復(fù)數(shù)。四、英語中有中性的代詞如 it 和 its,它們不指代人,但像 someone,each,everyone,no one,anyone 和 nobody 等用于指代人的不定代詞是中性的,所以這是英語語法的一個(gè)溝,常常會(huì)帶來很多問題,比如:1. No one knows what he can do till he tries.解析:這里用 he 是不合理的,因?yàn)?no one 也可能指的是 she.2. From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.解析:這里用 his 是不合理的,因?yàn)?each 也可能指的是 her.1、改寫句子,全部用復(fù)數(shù),例如“No one knows what he can do till he tries”可以改寫為: People don't know what they can do till they try.2、把 they 和 their 當(dāng)作“單數(shù)”,例如“From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs”可以改寫為:From each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs.
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