Question

集体名词作主语,谓语动词用单数还是复数? 举例…详细

Answer 1

某些集体名词,如family,team等作主语时,如果作为一个整体看待,谓语动词用单数形式,如果就其中一个个成员而言,谓语动词用复数形式.如：
His family is a happy one.
The whole family are watching TV.
这类名词有：audience,class,club,company,crew,enemy,crowd,government,group,party,public,team等.
名词population一词的使用情况类似.“a group(crowd) of +复数名词”等短语之后的谓语动词也同样可用单数或复数,前者强调整体,后者强调各个部分.
2）某些集体名词,如people,police,cattle等,只当复数看待,谓语动词必须用复数.如：
The police are searching for the thief.