英语中的就近原则,也称为邻近原则或就近一致原则,是一项重要的语法规则,它规定在句子中,谓语动词应该与它所紧邻的名词或代词(有时不一定是主语)在人称和数上保持一致。这个原则主要应用于以下几种情况:
1. **并列主语连接词**:当主语由"there be"句型、"or"、"either...or"、"nor"、"neither...nor"、"whether...or"、"not...but"、"not only...but also"等连接时,谓语动词遵循就近一致原则。例如:
- "What he does or what he says does not concern me." 这里的动词"does"与靠近的"What he says"一致,表示单数。
- "Neither you nor I am wrong." 谓语动词"am"与靠近的"I"一致,表示单数。
2. **倒装句**:在倒装句中,谓语动词常与后面的主语保持一致。例如:
- "In the distance was heard the clapping of hands and the shouts of the people." 动词"was heard"与最后一个主语"the shouts of the people"一致。
然而,还有一种特殊情况被称为"就远原则",在这种情况下,谓语动词与较远的主语一致。例如:
- "He rather than I is right." 动词"is"与远处的"He"一致,即使"I"离谓语更近。
- "The teacher with his students is working in the fields." 谓语"is working"与"The teacher"一致,尽管有"with his students"这样的短语。
另外,需要注意的是,当主语由"and"连接时,并非总是遵循就近原则。如果"and"连接的两个词指的是同一个人或事物,谓语动词通常采用单数形式。例如:
- "The iron and steel industry is very important to our life." 这里的"industry"被视为单一概念,因此谓语用单数。
此外,像"half of", "part of", "most of", "many a", "more than one"这样的表达引导的主语,动词通常与这些短语后面的名词或代词一致。例如:
- "Many a student has read this book." 虽然"students"是复数,但由于"Many a"的用法,谓语动词"has"仍用单数。
总的来说,英语中的就近原则和就远原则是决定动词与主语一致的重要依据。理解并掌握这些原则对于正确使用英语动词和构建语法正确的句子至关重要。在实际应用中,需要根据句子的具体结构和语境来判断应遵循哪种原则。