Homework 4. With the river on one side and a large tree providing shade, this is a good spot for a picnic, and we can spread our blanket on the grassy knoll.

9. The story, written in plain language, consists of three parts with an interesting plot centering round an aristocratic family living in 17th century France.

Can you answer the following questions correctly?

1. It is futile to discuss the matter further, C because ____ going to agree upon anything today. (2003) A. neither you nor I are B. neither you nor me is C. neither you nor I am D. neither me nor you are

2. Mr Wells, together with all the members of his family, ____ for Europe this C afternoon. (2004)  A. are to leave B. are leaving C. is leaving D. leave

D 3. The statistics ___ that living standards in the area have improved drastically in recent times.2006 A. proves B. is proving C. are proving D. prove

B 4. All the President’s Men ______ one

of the important books for historians who study the Watergate Scandal.2007 A. remain B. remains C. remained D. is remaining

Lecture two SubjectSubject-verb Concord

SubjectSubject-verb Concord“一致”(concord或agreement)指句子成分 之间或词语之间在语法形式上的协调关系。 主谓一致指主语和谓语动词之间在“人称” 和“数”的方面的一致关系， 这又叫做 “主-动一致”( Subject-verb Concord )。

Guiding Principles:1. Grammatical Concord 2. Notional Concord 3. Principle of Proximity

The mother and servant is preparing breakfast for you. I am hungry and he is also hungry. The news is a good one. Bread and milk is healthful breakfast. No boy and girl likes garlic.

1. The reading room is vey quiet. 2. The reading room and the living room are vey quiet. 3. The reading room and living room is vey quiet. 4. Neither the reading room nor two living rooms are vey quiet.

I. Problems of concord with nouns ending in -s1. Disease and game names ending in –splural: arthritis bronchitis diabetes

singular or plural: measles, rickets e.g. Rickets is/are caused by malnutrition.

2. Game names ending in –ssingular: darts, dominoes, marbles, billiards plural: cards(打纸牌) 当它们表示所用工具时谓语用复数. Darts is often played in English pubs. Two darts are thrown at every turn.

3. Subject names ending in –ics当这类名词表示 “学科”以外的其它意义时用作复数. Statistics is not as difficult as some people think. The latest statistics on crime are beyond description.

4. Geographical names ending in –sPlural: names of archipelagos, mountain ranges, straits and falls e.g. The West Indies, apart from the Bahamas, are commonly divided into two parts. Singular: country names The United States is a country of people with varied origins.

5. Other nouns ending in –sa. 由二部分组成的物体通常以S结尾，如果不带“一 把”等单位词而单独使用，通常用作复数。 复数scissors, sh

ears, pincers,tongs, pliers pajamas, knickers, pants , shorts, briefs glasses/spectacles, binoculars chopsticks

如带有单位词，则由单位词的单/复数来决定谓语动词的单 单 /复数。 复数。 复数 A pair of shoes was on the desk.

b.下列以 结尾的名词通常用作复数 下列以s结尾的名词通常用作复数 下列以 archives, arms, contents, goods, thanks, wages, remains(遗体) morals:道德，品行 , minutes:记录 注:whereabouts(行踪，下落),dramatics(舞台艺术)可用单/复数

c. 凡是由-ings结尾的名词常用作复数 结尾的名词常用作复数 凡是由 Earnings, surroundings 注:tidings( 消息,音信)可用作单或复数

d.以S结尾的单，复数同形的名词，谓语动词形式取决于这些名词是用作 单数还是用作复数；意义不同，单/复数也不同 This glass works was set up in 2008. These glass works are near the railway station. The only means to achieve success is to appeal to arms. All means have been tried out to increase agricultural production. e. 少数名词用作单数和用作复数意义不同 The martyr’s remains were buried at the foot of the hill.(遗体) Here is the remains of the temple.(遗迹)

Exercises:1.The Alps (covers, cover) an area of 200,000 square kilometers and (is, are) the greatest mountain range in Europe. 2.Draughts (is, are) an easier game than chess. 3.What (is, are) his politics ? 4.Politics (is, are) the art or science of government. 5.The remains of Shakespeare (is, are) buried on Stratford-on-Avon. 6.Mr Smith’s morals (is, are) above criticism. ually a bird species facing the danger of extinction (gains, gain) public recognition.

8. The earnings (comes, come) to 500 dollars a week. 9. He suffers from diabetes, which (is, are) a kind of chronic disease. 10. Where (is, are) the shears?