the加单数可数名词后的谓语动词是用单数还是复数
问题描述：
the加单数可数名词后的谓语动词是用单数还是复数
The teacher said that the class were, in general,very bright.
The teacher said that the class was more than forty in number.
为什么两个句子后面的谓语动词一个是单数一个是复数?
答
The teacher said that the class were,in general,very bright.
The teacher said that the class was more than forty in number.
为什么两个句子后面的谓语动词一个是单数一个是复数?
这是集体名词中的一个用法.
因为the class的意思不同：第一句是这个班的同学（指的是每一个人）；第二句是指这个班（整体）；当我们说“这个班的同学（们）都很聪明”的时候,就是指同学们；而当我们说“这班数字上超过40人时”就是指整体；
例：The family are watching TV.这个家人们看电视.
The family is very big.这个家很大.
有些集体名词一般用复数的.police(警察们）,people（人们）,cattle（牛群）