1.由and和both...and连接的并列成分作主语时,其谓语动词通常要用复数
如:
Christianity and Islam are two different religions.基督教与伊斯兰教是两种不同宗教。
Both handle and bolt are automatically deadlocked against turning.把手和插梢都自动锁死不能转动的。
注:当由and连接的两个并列主语受each, every, no的修饰时,谓语用单数。如:
Every boy and (every) girl likes the book.每个男孩女孩都喜欢这本书。
No desk and (no) chair was seen in the room.房间里不见桌椅。
2.由or, nor, either...or, neither…nor, not only…but also, not…but等连接的并列成作主语时,谓语动词通常与最靠近的主语保持一致(即遵循就近原则)。
如:
He or I am wrong.不是他错了,就是我错了。
Either you or he has taken it.不是你拿了就是他拿了。
Not only the students but also the teacher wants to go.不仅学生想去,老师也想去。
注意这类句型的疑问句形式:
Were you or he there?当时是你还是他在那儿?
Are either you or he to blame?是怪你还是怪他?
注:在非正式文体中,个别结构(如neither…nor)连接主语时,谓语可用复数。如:
Neither his father nor his mother have [has] come.他的爸爸和妈妈都没来。
3.由as well as, as much as, rather than , more than, no less than等连接的并列成分作主语时,谓语动词通常与前面一个主语保持一致。
如:
The teacher as well as the students has read it不仅学生读过它,老师也读过。
The teacher rather than the students is to blame.应受责备的是老师而不是学生。