【问】 each of Ns作主语时,其谓语动词是用单数,还是用复数?
【答】 所有的英语语法书都指出,在each of Ns作主语时,其谓语动词应当用单数:
Each of them has signed the petition. (CGEL)
他们每个人都在请愿书上签了名。
但是,我们在LDCE上发现了一个反例:
Each of the 2 beautiful girls upstairs is/are married.(LDCE,P.345)
楼上那两个漂亮的女孩都已结了婚。
考生注意:各类标准英语考试要求each of Ns的谓语动词使用单数:
1. It may be said that in some countries each of the citizens help to decide the govern-ment policy. (TOEFL,70.6)
2. Each of the contestants,having passed the primaries,hope to carry away the grandprize,and so does my brother.(EPT教程)
赵振才 编著.英语常见问题解答大词典.哈尔滨:黑龙江人民出版社.1998.第347页.