【问】 Large amounts of money_______ (was/were)spent on the bridge.

我不能确定是选was，还是选were。请释疑。

【答】 按照英语惯用法，当a large amount (quantity) of+不可数名词或(large)amounts(quantities)of+不可数名词充当主语时，其谓语动词的数决定于amount(quantity)的数。所以，在上面的句子里，应当选were。请看下面的例句：

1. Quantities of food were on the table. (LDCE)

大量的食物摆在了桌子上。

2. Vast amounts of money________ invested in the local market.

A. have being B. is

C. has D. are being(TOEFL，73. 10)

3. “What does Canada export?”

“Large quantities of wheat_______ sent abroad. ”

A. is B. are C. have D. is being(TOEFL，84—85)