25個英語集合名詞的用法
英語中?嫉募厦~主要涉及集合名詞的可數(shù)性、單復數(shù)意義、主謂一致、恰當?shù)男揎椪Z等。為了便于理解和記憶,我們將一些?嫉募厦~分為以下幾類,下面為大家?guī)?5個英語名詞的用法,快來看看吧。
1. army的用法
army是一個可數(shù)的集合名詞,意思是“陸軍”“大群”“大批”等。注意以下用法:
(1) 表示軍隊或陸軍,其前通常用定冠詞;若與不定冠詞或數(shù)詞連用,則表示一支或幾支軍隊。如:
When I grow up, I’m joining the army. 我長大了要參軍。
It was said that it was a modern army. 據(jù)說那是一支現(xiàn)代化的軍隊。
The two armies fought for control of the bridge. 兩軍為占領(lǐng)那座橋而戰(zhàn)。
(2) army作主語時,謂語動詞可用單數(shù)(視為整體)或復數(shù)(側(cè)重個體)。如:
The army was [were] called out to enforce the curfew. 軍隊被派去強制執(zhí)行宵禁。
(3) 用于an army of表示“一群……”時,其后通常接可數(shù)名詞的復數(shù)形式;這類結(jié)構(gòu)若用作主語,謂語動詞可用單數(shù)(視為整體)或復數(shù)(側(cè)重個體)。如:
An army of bees were flying around. 一大群蜜蜂到處飛著。
An army of workmen was brought in to build the stadium. 一大批工人被召來修建運動場。
但是,若用armies of…作主語,則謂語動詞要用復數(shù)。如:
Armies of rescue workers are sorting through the rubble. 救援大軍正在碎石中搜尋。
2. audience的用法
(1) audience的意思是“觀眾”“聽眾”,用作主語時,其謂語可用單數(shù)(視為整體)或復數(shù)(視為個體)。如:
The audience was made up of very young children. 觀眾都是很小的孩子們。
The audience were all moved to tears. 聽眾都感動得流了淚。
但有時用單數(shù)或復數(shù)均可以,只是側(cè)重點稍有不同。如:
The audience was [were] very excited by the show. 觀眾對演出感到非常興奮。
(2) 由于audience 是集合名詞,所以an audience 不是指“一個觀眾”,而是指某一群觀眾、某一個場次的觀眾、某一方面的觀眾等;同樣地,audiences 也不是指“多個觀眾”,而是指多群觀眾,多個場次的觀眾,多個方面的觀眾等。
另外,audience作為集合名詞,原則上不能用它表示個體,但every audience是例外,當要強調(diào)每一名觀眾時,可以這樣用。如:
The pianist made a conquest of every audience for which she played. 這位鋼琴家以她的演奏征服了每一位聽眾。
(3) 形容聽(觀)眾人數(shù)之多或少,通常用big, large, huge, mass, vast, wide以及small, thin等形容詞修飾,但是不用many, few修飾。如:
There was a large audience at the concert. 音樂會有大批觀眾。
She has never spoken to such a big audience before. 她以前從未向這么多人講過話。
(4) 要具體表示觀眾的數(shù)量,可參考以下表達。如:
The series has attracted an audience of more than 10 million. 這個系列片吸引了1 000多萬觀眾收看。
There were at least three hundred people in the audience. 觀眾至少有300人。
不過,偶爾它也可直接受數(shù)字(通常為較大的數(shù)字)的修飾。如:
Three thousand audience crowded the concert hall. 3 000名聽眾擠滿了音樂大廳。
3. club的用法
club用作集合名詞時的意思是“俱樂部的人”;若用作主語,謂語可用單數(shù)(視為整體)或復數(shù)(側(cè)重其個體)。如:
The tennis club has [have] organized a dance. 網(wǎng)球俱樂部組織了一個舞會。
The club has [have] decided to increase subscriptions. 會所決定增加報刊訂閱份數(shù)。
4. committee的用法
(1) 用作集合名詞,通常指由較大團體所委派以處理某事務的“委員會”。若視為整體,表單數(shù)意義;若考慮其個體,則表示復數(shù)意義。如:
The committee was composed of elected leaders and citizens. 委員會是由當選的領(lǐng)導人和市民們組成的。
The committee are of the opinion that the time is inopportune. 委員們認為時機不合適。
另外,若后接定語從句,視為復數(shù)時,關(guān)系代詞用who;視為單數(shù)時,關(guān)系代詞用that或which:
The committee who were [which was] responsible for this decision would consider it over again. 對這一決定負責的委員會是會重新考慮它的。
(2) 表示是委員會的成員,通常用(be) on the committee。如:
What is your role on the committee? 你在委員會擔任什么工作?
The class delegated six students to serve on the committee. 班里選出6名學生擔任學生會委員。
5. crew的用法
(1) 表示飛機或輪船等的全體工作人員,是集合名詞,用作主語時其謂語用單數(shù)(視為整體)或復數(shù)(考慮其個體)均可。如:
The crew is large. 工作人員眾多。
The plane crashed but the crew are safe. 那架飛機失事了,但機組人員都安然無恙。
The crew of the wrecked yacht were picked up by helicopter. 失事的游艇上的船員們被直升機救起了。
(2) 本身通常不用復數(shù),除非是表示不同船或不同飛機等的全體工作人員。如:
the crews of two ships 兩艘船的船員
6. crowd的用法
(1) crowd的意思是“人群”“一伙人”“一幫人”,為集合名詞,若用作主語,謂語用單數(shù)(視為整體)或復數(shù)(考慮其個體時)均可。如:
The crowd was [were] dispersed. 人群被驅(qū)散了。
The crowd move [moves] on, and no one tries to stop it. 人群向前移動,誰也沒試圖阻止。
(2) 使用代詞指代時,可以用單數(shù)代詞(視為整體)或復數(shù)代詞(考慮其個體)。如:
The crowd roared its approval. 群眾高呼贊成。
The crowd cheered their favorite horse. 眾人為他們喜愛的馬加油。
7. enemy的用法
(1) 表示個體意義的“仇敵”“敵人”,是可數(shù)名詞。如:
Don’t make an enemy of him. 不要與他為敵。
Her father has many enemies. 她爸爸樹敵太多。
(2) 表示整體意義的“敵軍”“敵人”,是集合名詞(可數(shù)),常與定冠詞連用;若用作主語,謂語可用單數(shù)(側(cè)重個體)或復數(shù)(側(cè)重整體)。如:
The enemy was [were] forced to retreat. 敵人被迫撤退。
(3) 表示“……的大敵(敵人)”“反對…”,其后可接介詞of或to。如:
Conceit is the enemy of [to] progress. 驕傲是進步的大敵。
He’s an enemy of [to] reform. 他反對改革。
8. family的用法
(1) 表示“家庭”“家人”,是集合名詞;若視為整體,具有單數(shù)意義,若逐個考慮其個體,則具有復數(shù)意義。如:
My family is very large [big]. 我家是大家庭。
My family are all very well. 我家里人都很好。
側(cè)重指家庭成員的family有時還可以用all, some之類的詞修飾。如:
All my family enjoy skiing. 我的全家人都喜歡滑雪。
I’m moving to London because I have some family there. 我要搬到倫敦去住,因為我的一些家人住在那兒。
(2) 有時family本身可有復數(shù)形式,但它表示的不是家里的多個人,而是指多個家庭。如:
The house was built for five families. 這座房子是蓋成5戶人家住的。
(3) 有時本來是視為整體看待(因為它們用作主語時后面的動詞用了單數(shù)),但相應的代詞卻可能用復數(shù)。如:
That family is so poor, they can’t afford to buy food. 那家人窮得連吃的都買不起。
That family is too proud to accept money from charity, even though they are very poor. 那家人太要強了,盡管很窮他們也不肯接受慈善機構(gòu)的錢。
9. gang的用法
gang作為集合名詞的意思是“(罪犯有組織的)一幫或一伙”“(鬧事的青少年,通常指男性)一群或一伙”“(工人有組織的)一隊或一組”“(經(jīng)常來往的)一伙人”等;若視為整體,具有單數(shù)意義,若逐個考慮其個體,則具有復數(shù)意義。如:
The whole gang is here tonight. 今晚伙伴們都在這里。
The gang have pulled another bank robbery. 那個團伙又犯下一樁銀行搶劫案。
The gang is [are] being hunted by the police. 警方正在追捕這幫匪徒。
The gang were [was] planning a robbery of a bank. 這伙歹徒正在計劃搶劫一家銀行。
10. generation的用法
(1) generation的意思是“一代人”;若用作主語,謂語動詞可用單數(shù)(視為整體)或復數(shù)(考慮其個體)。如:
Each generation has its own standards of judgement. 每一代人都有它自己的判斷標準。
The new generation was [were] the first to be raised on processed food. 這新的一代是第一批吃加工食品長大的人。
(2) 漢語說“年輕一代”“年老一代”,看不出有比較意味,但說成英語時卻通常是the younger generation,the older generation。如:
The older generation have a different set of values. 老一輩人有一套不同的價值觀。
The younger generation smokes less than their parents did. 年輕一代比他們的父輩抽煙抽得少。
11. government的用法
government的意思是“政府”“內(nèi)閣”;用作主語時,謂語可以用單數(shù)(側(cè)重整體)或復數(shù)(側(cè)重個體)。如:
The government plans to close 10 coal mines. 政府打算關(guān)掉10家煤礦。
The government hopes to better the conditions of the workers. 政府希望改善工作人員的狀況。
The government have delayed publication of the trade figures. 政府已將貿(mào)易統(tǒng)計數(shù)字延后公布。
The Government strongly wish [wishes] the bill passed. 政府強烈希望該議案能被通過。
12. group的用法
(1) group的意思是“群”“團體”“組”“類”“(公司聯(lián)營的)集團”等,具有集合意義;用作主語時,謂語根據(jù)情況可用單數(shù)(側(cè)重整體)或復數(shù)(側(cè)重個體)。如:
The group is made up mostly of local businesspeople. 那個團隊大部分是由本地商人組成的。
The group have split away from the official union. 這一部分人已從正式的聯(lián)盟中分裂出來了。
Our discussion group is [are] meeting this week. 我們的討論小組本周開會。
(2) 用于a group of時,其后總是接可數(shù)名詞的復數(shù);若用作主語,謂語通常用復數(shù)(側(cè)重個體),有時也用單數(shù)(側(cè)重整體)。如:
A group of children are playing under the big tree. 有一群小孩正在那棵大樹下游戲。
A group of girls was [were] waiting at the school gate. 一群女孩子在校門口等著。
13. jury的用法
jury的意思是“陪審團”“(比賽的)評判委員會”,為集合名詞;用作主語時,謂語動詞可用單數(shù)(視為整體)或復數(shù)(考慮其個體)。如:
The jury is [are] considering its verdict. 陪審團正在考慮裁決。
The jury is [are] about to announce the winners. 評委會即將宣布優(yōu)勝者。
14. majority的用法
(1) the majority表示“大多數(shù)”時,為集合名詞;單獨用作主語時,其謂語可用單數(shù)(視為整體)或復數(shù)(考慮其個體)。如:
The majority has [have] seen the film. 多數(shù)人看過這部電影。
The majority was [were] in favour of banning smoking. 大多數(shù)人支持禁煙。
但是若單獨用的 the majority后跟有復數(shù)表語,則謂語通常要用復數(shù)。如:
The majority are young people. 大多數(shù)是年輕人。
(2) 用于“the majority of+復數(shù)名詞”且用作主語時,其謂語動詞通常用復數(shù)。如:
The majority of our employees are women. 我們的雇員大多數(shù)是女性。
The majority of men earn their living by manual labour. 大多數(shù)人是以體力勞動為生。
但用于單數(shù)也是可能的(即將主語視為一個整體)。如:
The majority of students were [was] indifferent to the political meeting. 大多數(shù)學生對政治集會漠不關(guān)心。
(3) 按傳統(tǒng)語法,the majority of只用于修飾可數(shù)名詞復數(shù)或具有復數(shù)意義的集合名詞,但在現(xiàn)代英語中也可用于修飾不可數(shù)名詞,此時若用作主語,謂語動詞用單數(shù)。如:
The majority of my work is done in the office. 我的大部分工作是在辦公室里干的。
The vast majority of alcohol metabolism occurs in the liver. 酒精的代射主要在肝臟。
(3) the majority of習慣上帶定冠詞,有時也可用不定冠詞。如:
A majority of visitors have arrived. 大多數(shù)參觀者已經(jīng)到了。
A clear majority of voters were in favour of the motion. 絕大多數(shù)選民贊成這一動議。
A [The] majority of people seem to prefer TV to radio. 大部分人似乎喜歡看電視而不喜歡聽收音機。
15. management的用法
(1) management的意思是“管理層”“管理人員”“資方”,為集合名詞;用作主語時,謂語動詞可用單數(shù)(視為整體)或復數(shù)(考慮其個體)。如:
The management is not responsible for articles left in customers’ cars. 管理人員對于留在顧客車內(nèi)的東西概不負責。
The management are looking for ways of improving productivity. 管理部門正在設(shè)法提高生產(chǎn)率。
The management is [are] having talks with the workers. 資方正在與工人談話。
有時其前可以不用冠詞。如:
Management [The management] is [are] considering closing the factory. 主管部門正在考慮把工廠關(guān)閉。
(2) 若只是表示“管理”,則表示單數(shù)意義。如:
Poor management has sunk the project. 管理不善導致了這個項目失敗。
School management is often too detached from the classroom. 學校管理往往太脫離課堂。
16. military的用法
military的意思是“軍隊”“武裝力量”,通常要連用定冠詞;用作主語時,謂語動詞通常用復數(shù),但有時也用單數(shù)。如:
As the police could not keep order in the city, the military were called in to help. 由于警察無法維持城里的秩序,軍隊被召去加以協(xié)助。
The military does not have the weapons it needs to defeat the rebels. 軍方?jīng)]有擊敗叛軍所需的武器。
17. minority的用法
(1) 意為“少數(shù)”“少數(shù)人”,用于a minority且用作主語時,謂語動詞通常用復數(shù),但有時也用單數(shù)。如:
Only a tiny minority hold such extreme views. 只有極少數(shù)的人持這種極端的觀點。
Unfortunately, a small minority want to spoil everyone else’s enjoyment. 很遺憾,少數(shù)幾個人想破壞其他所有人的興致。
The nation wants peace; only a minority want(s) the war to continue. 全國人民要和平,只有少數(shù)人希望繼續(xù)打仗。
(2) 用于a minority of,后接復數(shù)名詞,用作主語時,謂語動詞可用單數(shù)(視為整體)或復數(shù)(考慮其個體)。如:
Only a minority of people support these new laws. 只有少數(shù)人支持這些新法令。
A minority of children are sexually active before they are in their teens. 少數(shù)孩子在十幾歲前有性行為。
Only a small minority of students is [are] interested in politics these days. 目前只有極少數(shù)學生對政治感興趣。
18. nation的用法
(1) 表示“國民”“全國人民”時,為集合名詞;但用作主語時,謂語動詞可用單數(shù)(視為整體)或復數(shù)(考慮其個體)。如:
The nation was at fever pitch in the days leading up to the election. 大選前幾天,全國處于狂熱的興奮之中。
The whole [entire] nation was [were] watching the developments of the incident. 全國人民都在關(guān)注著此事的'進展。
(2) 若表示“國家”,則表示單數(shù)意思。如:
The nation was reunited and slaves were set free. 國家重新統(tǒng)一,奴隸獲得了自由。
The nation is in danger of falling into anarchy. 那個國家有進入無政府狀態(tài)的危險。
19. personnel的用法
(1) 表示“全體人員”時,為總稱名詞,雖為單數(shù)形式,但表示復數(shù)意義;用作主語時,謂語要用復數(shù)。如:
Our personnel are very highly trained. 我們的人員素質(zhì)很高。
Army personnel are not allowed to leave the base. 軍事人員不準離開基地。
(2) 表示“人事部門”時,其用法值得注意——此時它是不可數(shù)名詞,不連用不定冠詞,也不用復數(shù)形式,但它用作主語時謂語動詞卻可用單數(shù)或復數(shù)。如:
Personnel has [have] lost my tax forms. 人事部門把我的稅收表格弄丟了。
Personnel is [are] organizing the training of the new members of staff. 人事部門正在組織新雇員的培訓。
20. population的用法
(1) 表示某地區(qū)、城市、國家等的“全體居民”“人口”,或表示聚居于某地區(qū)的“一群或一類的人或動物”等,為集合名詞,既可表示單數(shù)意義(視為整體)也可表示復數(shù)意義(考慮其個體)。如:
Most of the population has [have] fled. 大部分居民都逃走了。
A tiny fraction of the population never vote [votes]. 很少一部分人從不投票。
What percent of the population read [reads] books? 識字的人占人口總數(shù)的百分之幾?
Half the world’s population doesn’t [don’t] get enough to eat. 世界有一半人口沒有足夠的食物吃。
但是,在某些特定語境中,要注意區(qū)分其單數(shù)意義與復數(shù)意義。如:
One half of the world’s population are Asians. 世界人口有一半是亞洲人。(由于其后的表語是復數(shù),所以系動詞以用復數(shù)為宜)
The population of Scotland was eight times as large as that of Cornwall. 蘇格蘭的人口是康沃爾人口的八倍。(此句用單數(shù)謂語,因為主語的概括性比較強)
(2) 如果population本身為復數(shù),其后的謂語自然要用復數(shù)。如:
Insect populations fluctuate wildly from year to year. 昆蟲數(shù)量每年變化很大。
Whole populations of natives were wiped out in order that civilisation might advance. 為了文明得以前進,整批整批的土著被消滅了。
(3) 其前不能用數(shù)詞修飾,也不能與many, few之類的詞連用,但在說明數(shù)量多少時可用large, high, small等來說明。如:
China’s population is by far the largest of any country. 中國是全世界人口最多的國家。
In 1900 the population of London was higher than it is now. 1900年,倫敦的人口比現(xiàn)在多。
雖然不直接受數(shù)量修飾,但受“per+數(shù)詞”來修飾。如:
the number of live births per 1,000 population 每1000人中的活產(chǎn)嬰兒數(shù)目
(4) 要表示某地擁有多少人口,一般用“have a population of+基數(shù)詞”這樣的結(jié)構(gòu)。如:
Japan has a population of about a hundred million. 日本人口約有1億。
若要打聽某地的人口數(shù),可用what或how large。如:
How large [What] is the population of China? 中國有多少人口?
21. public的用法
表示“公眾”,為集合名詞,其前要用定冠詞;用作主語,謂語可用單數(shù)(側(cè)重整體)或復數(shù)(側(cè)重個體)。如:
Give the public what it wants [they want]. 應滿足公眾的要求。
The public is [are] requested not to walk on the grass. 請大家不要在草地上行走。
The public has [have] a right to know what is contained in the report. 民眾有權(quán)了解報告的內(nèi)容。
比較下面兩句:
The public is the best judge.=The public are the best judges. 公眾是最好的判斷者。
22. staff的用法
(1) staff表示“全體人員”,是集合名詞,a staff 不是指“一個人員”,而是指某一個單位的“全體人員”;two staffs不是指“兩個人員”,而是指某兩個單位的“全體人員”。要表示 “一個職員”“一個工作人員”,可說成a staff member或one of the staff。如:
On every trip a staff member brings musical instruments. 每一次旅行時,一個工作人員都會攜帶樂器。
但如果是復數(shù),則其中的members可以省略。如:
Staff (members) are conversant with the issues. 職工對這些問題很有經(jīng)驗。
(2) 用作主語時,其謂語動詞可用單數(shù)(視為整體)或復數(shù)(考慮其個體)。如:
The school’s teaching staff is [are] excellent. 學校師資很不錯。
Over half of the staff is female. 半數(shù)以上的職工是女性。
Most of our sales staff now work on line. 我們的銷售人員現(xiàn)在大多在線開展業(yè)務。
注意,類似下面這樣的句子,staff前面沒有冠詞:
Staff are expected to start work punctually at 8.30. 工作人員必須在8點半準時開始工作。
Staff are not permitted to make personal phone calls except in an emergency. 除了有急事,員工不允許打私人電話。
(3) 若語義需要,其前可用some, many, most, all等修飾。如:
Many hospital staff have to work unsocial hours. 許多醫(yī)務人員必須在非正常時間上班。
All the staff wish you weren’t leaving so soon. 所有的工作人員都希望你不要這么快就離開。
有時還可直接用數(shù)詞修飾。如:
Six more staff got the chop last week. 上個星期又有6名員工被解雇。
There are plans to axe 2600 staff. 有計劃要解雇2600名員工。
(4) 表示“是……的職員”“在……供職”,其前通常用介詞on。如:
He’s on the staff of the college. 他在那所大學供職。
23. team的用法
(1) 作為集合名詞,用作主語時,其謂語動詞根據(jù)情況可用單數(shù)(側(cè)重整體)或復數(shù)(側(cè)重個體)。如:
Which team is the best? 哪個隊打得最好?
The football team are having a rest. 足球隊隊員們在休息。
(2) a team of后接復數(shù)名詞,表示“一組(群,批) ……”。如:
The exam questions are set by a team of experts. 考試題是由一個專家組命制的。
這類結(jié)構(gòu)若用作主語,其后的謂語動詞可用單數(shù)(側(cè)重整體)或復數(shù)(側(cè)重個體)。如:
A team of divers was sent down to examine the wreck. 派了一個潛水隊去對沉船進行檢查。
A team of volunteers were putting up posters. 一批志愿者在張貼海報。
(3) 表示某人在某個隊或是某個隊的隊員,其前可用介詞on或in。如:
They are in [on] the same football team. 他們是同一個足球隊的(成員)。
24. troop的用法
(1) 表示“軍隊”“部隊”,習慣用復數(shù)形式;若用作主語,謂語也用復數(shù)。如:
Rebel troops have captured the city. 叛軍奪取了該城。
Troops were used to put down the rebellion. 動用了軍隊鎮(zhèn)壓叛亂。
(2) 有時可代替soldiers表示“士兵”,但它一般不與具體數(shù)字(尤其是較小的數(shù)字)連用,如“兩個士兵”一般不能說成two troops,可說two soldiers。不過它可以與較大的數(shù)字以及不確定的數(shù)目連用。如:
many troops 許多士兵
five hundred troops 500士兵
thousands of troops 數(shù)千士兵
(3) 若用于名詞前作定語,則用單數(shù)。如:
The troop withdrawal is scheduled to begin the day after the ceasefire. 部隊撤離安排在停火后的一天開始。
(4) 用于a troop of,后接復數(shù)名,表示“一群”“大量”“許多”等,用作主語時,其謂語動詞根據(jù)情況可用單數(shù)(側(cè)重整體)或復數(shù)(側(cè)重個體)。如:
A troop of guests was moving towards the house. 一群客人向那房子走去。
A troop of boys were playing at the edge of a pond. 一群孩子正在池邊玩耍。
25. workforce的用法
workforce表示“工人總數(shù)”或“職工總數(shù)”,是集合名詞;用作主語時謂語可用單數(shù)(視為整體)或復數(shù)(考慮其個體)。如:
The workforce in this area is well-educated and very reliable. 這個地區(qū)的勞動力教育程度高,而且非?煽俊
Our workforce are completely dependable. 我們的工作人員的能力完全可靠。
擴展:
英語集合名詞整理,你都會了嗎
。ㄒ唬┬问綖閱螖(shù),但意義可以用為單數(shù)或復數(shù)
這類集合名詞包括family(家庭),team(隊),class(班),audience(聽眾)等,其用法特點為:若視為整體,表示單數(shù)意義;若考慮其個體成員,表示復數(shù)意義。
比較并體會:
His family is large. 他的家是個大家庭。
His family are all waiting for him. 他的一家人都在等他。
This class consists of 45 pupils. 這個班由45個學生組成。
This class are reading English now. 這個班的學生在讀英語
(二)形式為單數(shù),但意義永遠為復數(shù)
這類集合名詞包括cattle(牛),people(人),police(警察)等,其用法特點為:只有單數(shù)形式, 但卻表示復數(shù)意義,用作主語時謂語用復數(shù);不與 a(n) 連用,但可與the連用(表示總括意義和特指)。如:
People will laugh at you. 人們會笑你的。
The police are looking for him. 警察在找他。
Many cattle were killed for this. 就因為這個原因宰了不少牛。
注:表示牛的頭數(shù),用單位詞 head(單復數(shù)同形)。如:
five head of cattle 5頭牛,fifty (head of ) cattle 50頭牛
。ㄈ┬问綖閺蛿(shù),意義也為復數(shù)
這類集合名詞包括goods(貨物), clothes(衣服)等,其用法特點是:只有復數(shù)形式(當然也表示復數(shù)意義,用作主語時謂語也用復數(shù)),但通常不與數(shù)詞連用。如:
Clothes dry slowly in the rainy season. 衣服在雨季不易干。
Such clothes are very expensive. 那樣的衣服很貴。
If goods are not well made you should complain to the manufacturer. 如果貨物質(zhì)量不好,則理應向制造商提出控訴。
。ㄋ模┬问綖閱螖(shù),意義也為單數(shù)
這類集合名詞包括baggage / luggage(行李), clothing(衣服), furniture(家具), machinery(機器), poetry(詩), scenery(風景), jewelry(珠寶), equipment(設(shè)備)等, 其用法特點為:是不可數(shù)名詞,只用單數(shù)形式,不用不定冠詞(當然更不能用數(shù)詞),沒有復數(shù)形式。如:
Our clothing protects us from [against] the cold. 我們的衣服可以御寒。
Have you checked all your baggage? 你所有的行李都托運了嗎?
The thief stole all her jewelry. 小偷把她所有的首飾都偷走了。
The hospital has no decent equipment. 這家醫(yī)院沒有像樣的設(shè)備。
The Tang Dynasty is thought of as the high summer of Chinese poetry. 人們認為唐朝是中國詩歌的全盛時期。
注:machinery, poetry, jewelry, scenery等相應的個體可數(shù)名詞是 machine, poem, jewel, scene等。如:
a poem / a piece of poetry 一首詩
many machines / much machinery / many pieces of machinery 許多機器
。ㄎ澹┏R姷募厦~
除上面提到的四類集合名詞外,以下幾個集合名詞也應重點注意:
1. hair(頭發(fā),毛發(fā)):指全部頭發(fā)或毛發(fā)時,為集合名詞(不可數(shù));指幾根頭發(fā)或毛發(fā)時,為個體名詞(可數(shù))。如:
My hair has grown very long. 我的頭發(fā)已長得很長了。
The police found two hairs there. 警察在那兒找到了兩根頭發(fā)。
2. mankind(人類):是一個不可數(shù)的集合名詞,不用復數(shù)形式,也不連用冠詞。如:
This is an invention that benefits mankind. 這是一項造福人類的發(fā)明。
Mankind has its own problems. 人類有自己的問題
注:mankind 表示“人(類)”時,雖不可數(shù),但有時卻可以表示復數(shù)意義,尤其是當其表語是復數(shù)時。如:
Mankind are intelligent animals. 人是理智的動物。
3. fruit(水果):作為集合名詞,它通常是不可數(shù)的。如:
He doesn’t eat much fruit. 他不大吃水果。
He is growing fruit in the country. 他在鄉(xiāng)下種水果。
但是,當要表示種類時,它可視為可數(shù)名詞,即a fruit 指一種水果,fruits 指多種水果。比較:
Some fruits have thick skins. 有些水果皮很厚。
The potato is a vegetable, not a fruit. 土豆是一種蔬菜,而不是一種水果