| 词组 | two and two |
| 释义 | two and two Several people have written to us in recent years to ask whether the common arithmetical formulas two and two, two times two, two plus two, and the like, take singular or plural verbs. The question is an old one that has been examined by at least four commentators. Alford 1866 preferred the singular verb for abstract arithmetic ("two and two is four"), but allowed the plural for concrete instances ("two apples and two apples are four apples"). Evans 1957 found the singular verb to be more common but the plural to also have occasional use. More recently, Harper 1975, 1985 says the singular is preferred and only grudgingly admits the plural at the insistence of "some linguists." Copperud 1980, however, says that singular and plural verbs are equally frequent. Historical grammarians have looked into the problem too. Poutsma 1904-26 thinks the singular more logical, but finds more examples of the plural. Jespersen 190949 (vol. 2) finds mixed usage. Here is what we find. The two most mathematically inclined members of our editorial staff differ in their practice, offering modest confirmation of Copperud's statement. But a survey of recent American math texts in our library reveals universal use of the singular, as here: • What number plus nine equals fifteen? —Edwina Deans et al., Basic Mathematics, Book D, 1977 • 36 plus 12 times n is 48 —Max A. Sabel et al., Essentials of Mathematics, Book 1, 1977 None of these books, however, use the common formula with and. Older literature, on the other hand, runs heavily to the plural verb with and, especially when the verb is make: • We do in our Consciences believe two and two make four —Joseph Addison, The Spectator, No. 126, 1711 (OED) • It is very possible that two and two make four — Thomas Gray, letter, 27 Oct. 1736 • O Ireland! O my country! ... when will you acknowledge that two and two make four... ? —W. M. Thackeray, The Book of Snobs, 1846 • How much do one and one make? —Robert Frost, letter, 26 Mar. 1915 Charles Lamb, however, used the singular: • Reason is only counting, two and two makes four — letter, 1830 We conclude that unless you are writing a mathematics text, you have the option to use either a singular or a plural verb. The plural is more likely with and than with other constructions, although our evidence of plural use in print now shows its age. |
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