高三英語：集體名詞的數(shù)的問題

集體名詞在句中用作單數(shù)還是用作復(fù)數(shù)，后面該接單數(shù)動(dòng)詞抑或復(fù)數(shù)動(dòng)詞，這些都應(yīng)根據(jù)不同情況或意義來處理。

集體名詞分類如下：

【1】有些集體名詞在句中通常作復(fù)數(shù)用，后接復(fù)數(shù)動(dòng)詞。

這些集體名詞為：people, police, clergy, cattle, poultry, vermin, militia等。

The people of Norway are called Norweigians.

The police are making enquiries into the robbery. 警方正在調(diào)查這樁搶劫案。

The poultry have been fed. 家禽已被喂過飼料。

These vermin (害蟲) are harmful to the crops.

The militia (民兵) were also called out to help keep order.

The clergy (牧師) are mostly recruited from theological schools(神學(xué)院).

注: poultry不指家禽而指家禽肉時(shí)，用單數(shù)動(dòng)詞，通常前無冠詞。例如：

Poultry is rather cheap now.

【2】有些集體名詞在句中作單數(shù)用。

這些名詞如machinery, merchandise(貨物), foliage([總稱]樹葉)等。

Modern machinery has been installed in this workshop.

The valuable merchandise was thrown overboard (被扔至海中) in order to save the vessel in the storm.

Dense green foliage affords a restful sight. 茂密的綠葉呈現(xiàn)出一派閑適寧?kù)o的景象。