【问】 There____the last piece of cake and the last spoonful of ice cream. A. we go B. goes C. go D. are losing 正确答案是C(go),但是,下面的句子与它相似,谓语动词却用了单数: There was a bed and a big wardrobe with a mirror. (Hemingway) 不知您如何解释这种现象。 【答】 在there be和here be句型中,我们可以看到主语与谓语的一致遵循着两个相互矛盾的原则:接近原则和语法一致原则。下面是遵循接近原则的例句: 1. There was also an apple tree and a pear tree. 还有一棵苹果树和一棵梨树。 2. Here is a pen,a few envelopes and some paper for you. 这儿有一支钢笔,几个信封和一些纸供你使用。 3. There was an office desk,a revolving chair,bookshelves,a safe... 里面摆着一张办公桌、一把转椅、几个书架和一个保险箱…… 这种接近原则,尽管使用得很广泛,但是仍然受到语言纯正主义者的批评。在这里他们只承认语法一致原则: 1. There were Dalby and Mrs. Dalby. 那儿有多尔比和多尔比夫人。 2. There were only one or two chaps there. 那儿只有一两个小伙子。 托福考题便是按照语言纯正主义者的观点来考核学生的: 1. At the bus stop____a soldier and two young people on their way to North Carolina.A. were B. was C. is D. sits and waits(TOEFL教程) 2. Here____notebook and report that I promised you last week. A. is the B. are the C. was the D. has been a(TOEFL) 3. In the room____an arm-chair,a table,and a desk. A. there have B. there is C. there are D. there was(TOEFL 教程) 4. Traditionally,there has been only two major political parties in the United States——the Republicansand the Democrats. (TOEFL,80. 5)