【问】 (A)There is no means of learning what is happening.
 (B) Her means are small.
 为什么在句(A)中用is，而在句(B)中用are呢?
 【答】 当means作“方式”、“方法”、“手段”解时，它是一个单复数同形的名词。因此句(A)中的means既可理解为单数，也可理解为复数，故而可用is或are。类例：
 1. Every means has been tried.
 每种方法都试过了。
 2. All possible means have been tried.
 所有可能的方法都试过了。
 3. This is a dangerous means.
 这是一种危险的方法。
 4. Such means are unpleasant.
 这类方法是令人不愉快的。
 5. The quickest means of travel is by plane. (LDCE)
 最快的旅行方式是乘飞机。
 6. My ambitions are boundless，but my means is(are)limited.
 我的目标是无止境的，但我的手段是有限的。
 7. Such a means was proposed yesterday in the three-point programme put forward by Waron Want through its secretary Mr George Galloway. (The Guardian)
 昨天，在“向贫穷宣战”组织通过其书记乔治·加洛韦先生提出的三点计划中，这种
 手段被提上了议事日程。(卫报)(《译文引自《现代英语报刊阅读词典》)
 8. This means of transport is a very old one.
 这种运输方式是很古老的一种。
 9 . Several means of transport are available to you.
 有几种运输方式可供你利用。
 但是，当means作“钱财”、“资产”、“经济实力”解时，则永远是复数，如你提出的句(B)，故应填are。类例：
 1. You might find out from Larry...what his means are. (G. B. Shaw)
 从拉里那儿你会发现他的经济实力。
 2. Have you the means to support a wife? (LDCE)
 你有钱财来养活妻子吗?
 请做下列英语试题：
 1. Many elderly people don’t have the means to travel.
 (A) wealth (B) motivation
 (C) desire (D) courage
 2. Robert is a man of means.
 A. a thoughtful person B. a wealthy person
 C. a resourceful person D. a selfish person(EPT)
 3. Before the automobile，the horse-drawn carriage was the primary mean of privatetransportation.(TOEFL，74. 9;80.3)