张良
【摘要】代词是英语中最捉摸不定的词类,稍有疏忽,就会误解其表达的真正含义。尤其是在写作中,代词使用不当,就会引起整个句子意思表达的混乱。为矫枉过正,本文拟就代词在数、性、人称方面的一致性进行探讨。
【关键词】代词 写作 一致性
代词一致是指句中代词在数、性、人称等方面彼此保持一致,或者与它所照应的名词词组在某些方面保持一致。因此,英语写作中必须注意代词在如下几个方面的一致性:
一、代词在数方面的一致
代词在数方面的一致主要体现在不定代词、关系代词、疑问代词等作主语时的主谓一致
1.不定代词作主语时的主谓一致。
1)everything,anything,something,nothing,everybody,every-one,anybody,anyone,somebody,
someone,nobody,no one等构成的合成代词及neither,either,each,one,the other,another,little,much等作主语,谓语动词用单数。例如:
Anyone who wants to come is welcome.
Nobody else has time for such things.
2)both,few,many,several等作主语时,谓语动词用复数。例如:
Few of my kiends were present at the party
Several of them know the construction of the machine.
3)all,most,some,none等作主语时,如果所指的是复数名词,谓语动词用复数。如果所指的是单数名词或不可数名词,谓语动词用單数。例如:
All are happy to hear the news.(听到这个消息,大家都很高兴。)
All of the jam has been eaten.(所有的果酱都吃完了。)
Most of the earth is covered with water(地球表面的大部分被水覆盖)
4)“more than基数词+复数名词”作主语,谓语动词用复数;“more than one”或者“more than one+单数名词”作主语时,谓语动词用单数。例如:
Morethan one hasfound it so.
More than a thousand inhabitants have signed the petition.
2.疑问代词what,which,who作主语时,谓语动词的单复数取决于疑问代词指的是单数或是复数。例如:
Who knows the reason?
Who care aboutthetides?
3.that,which或who做从句的主语时,谓语动词要与关系代词的先行词的人称和数一致。例如:
There is one of the best books that have ever been written on the subject.
1 Was the one who was going to London.
二、代词在性方面的一致
1.当名称的性无法确定时,阴性与阳性都可使用。
An average student with average intelligence can be a top student if he/she plans his/her time carefully.
中等智力水平的学生只要仔细安排他(她)的时间也能成为优等生。
2.国家、船只等名词常被看作阴性,因此可以用she,her代替。
China will resolutely carry out her current economic rearm.
中国坚定不移地进行当前的经济改革。
Titanic Was really a great ship at that time.she was called a ship of dream.
泰坦尼克当时确实是一艘了不起的船,被称之为“梦之船”。
3.在非正式文体或附加疑问句中,当everyone,somebody,no-body,no one作主语时,代词用they.也可用he.
Everyone knows what they have to do.dont they?
Everyone knows his job,doesnt he?
4.当everything,anything,something,nothing作主语时,在附加疑问句中,代词通常用 it.Something should be done,shouldnt it?
Nothing will be damaged during the vocation.wont it
三、代词在人称上的一致。
1.代词在人称上应与其所在句中的主语保持一致。
The women in the committee expressed their opinions at the con-ference.委员会里的妇女在会议上表达了她们的观点。
Mr.Roger and I visited BeJjing last year.We stayed there for one month.我和罗杰去年逛了北京,我们在那里逗留了一个
2.在英国英语里,和One照应的代词是one,ones,oneself,而美国英语里常用he,him,his,himself.例如:
One should wash one。s hair regularly.人应该经常洗头。One cannot succeed unless he works hard.一个人如果不努力,就不能成功。
3。anyone,anybody,everyone,everybody,nobody相对应的、既可以指男性也可以指女性的单数形式的人称代词所以在某些场合人称上,用they,them,their.例如:
Everyone has read the notice,haven。t they每一个人都看了通知了,是吗?
Nobody objected,did they没人反对,是吧?
4.“either/neither+复数名词”作主语时,在正式场合中,人称代词用his.,口语中,用their。例如:Neither of them could make up his mind.(正式场合)两人谁也做不了主。
Neither of them could make up their minds.(口语中)两人谁也做不了主。
总之,英语写作中的代词一致看似简单,实则相当复杂,这就需要我们在写作中注意代词一致的一些特殊情况。这样才能在行文中写出符合语法习惯的英语作文。endprint