威威老師的文法特快車:主詞動詞一致 (Subject-Verb Agreement)

課程導航


哈囉各位同學!我是威威老師。

來,挑一個答案:

“The number of students ___ increasing every year.” (A) is (B) are

如果你選 (B),你被陷阱抓到了——而且你不孤單,這題大約 70% 的台灣學生會錯

主詞動詞一致 (Subject-Verb Agreement) 是中文母語者的「死穴」——因為中文的動詞從來不會根據主詞變化。我們說「我是」「他是」「他們是」用的都是同一個「是」,但英文 “I am / He is / They are” 三種變化,動詞要跟主詞一致

這個觀念聽起來簡單,但英文出題者超會挖陷阱:藏單複數信號、用介系詞片語干擾、用看起來複數其實單數的詞…——今天威威老師帶你把學測最愛考的 8 個陷阱拆光。

繫好安全帶 🚂


課前快問 (Pre-Quiz) — 複習 06 形容詞與副詞

  1. She looked ____ at the broken vase.(sad / sadly)
  2. The students were ____ because the lecture was ____.(bored/boring)
  3. He is old ____ to travel alone.(enough 的位置)

一、什麼是「主詞動詞一致」?

想像英文句子是一對舞伴——主詞動詞必須「配合彼此的步伐」,跳不同舞步整支舞就垮了。

主詞動詞一致 (Subject-Verb Agreement) = 動詞要跟著主詞變化:

  • 單數主詞 → 單數動詞
  • 複數主詞 → 複數動詞

這是中文裡完全沒有的概念!中文不管主詞是什麼,動詞都不會變:

中文(不變)英文(要變!)
學生I am a student.
學生He is a student.
他們學生They are students.
I have books.
He has books.

二、基本規則 — 主詞 × 動詞對照

2-1 終極對照表

主詞be 動詞have一般動詞 (play)
Iamhaveplay
Youarehaveplay
He / She / Itishasplays
We / Theyarehaveplay
單數名詞 (the cat)ishasplays(V-s/es)
複數名詞 (the cats)arehaveplay(原形)

2-2 「特權階級」:第三人稱單數

💡 威威記法:第三人稱單數是「特權階級」——它的動詞要多穿一件 -s 外套!

一般動詞
I/You/We/They + work原形
He/She/It + works三單加 -s
The cat sleeps三單加 -s

🚨 關鍵:只有現在簡單式的「第三人稱單數」需要加 -s/es! 過去式、未來式、進行式都不適用這個規則。

2-3 三個不可不知的特殊主詞

主詞behave說明
Iamhave雖單數,但用 am(不用 is)+ have(不用 has)
youarehave不管單複數,都用 are + have
itishas完全按單數規則

三、容易出錯的 8 大陷阱主詞

考試最愛用「看起來不像主詞」或「單複數判斷不直覺」的東西來考你!以下 8 大陷阱幾乎每年都考

3-1 集合名詞:family, team, class, audience…

情境視為動詞
「一個整體」單數My family is large.(家庭很大)
「個別成員」複數My family are all doctors.(家人個個是醫生)

💎 美式英文偏向視為單數——這是考試比較安全的選擇。

  • The team has won the game.(美式,當整體看)
  • The team have different opinions.(英式或強調個別意見時)

3-2 each / every / either / neither / one + 永遠單數

主詞動詞例句
Each studenthasEach student has a book.
Every boy and girlisEvery boy and girl is ready.
Either answerisEither answer is correct.
Neither optionworksNeither option works.
One of the studentsisOne of the students is late.

🚨 超經典陷阱:every + A and B = 單數!

  • ✅ Every boy and girl is ready.(雖然 boy and girl 看起來像兩個,但 every 視為單數!)

3-3 不定代名詞 -one / -body / -thing → 永遠單數

不定代名詞動詞例句
everyone / everybodyisEveryone is here.
someone / somebodyisSomeone is waiting for you.
anyone / anybodyisIs anyone coming?
no one / nobodyknowsNobody knows the truth.
everythingisEverything is fine.
somethingisSomething is wrong.
nothingisNothing is impossible.

🚨 黃金鐵律:以 -one, -body, -thing 結尾的不定代名詞 → 永遠單數動詞! ❌ Everyone are happy. ✅ Everyone is happy.

3-4 the number of vs. a number of — 學測必考!

這是全章最大魔王——出題者超愛考!

片語意思動詞例句
the number of + 複數N…的數量單數The number of students is 30.(學生的數量是 30)
a number of + 複數N許多…複數A number of students are absent.(許多學生缺席)

💡 威威記法:

  • the number = 一個數字 → 單數 → is
  • a number of = many = 許多 → 複數 → are

邏輯:

  • the number of X is Y → 「X 的數量是 Y」(重點在數量這個數字)。
  • a number of X are Y → 「許多 X 是 Y」(重點在 X 本身,是複數)。

3-5 距離 / 時間 / 金額 / 數學運算 → 單數

類型例句說明
距離Ten miles is a long way.10 英里被當成「一段距離」整體
時間Three hours is enough.3 小時被當成「一段時間」整體
金額Five dollars is cheap.5 元被當成「一筆錢」整體
數學Two plus two is four.算式整體當單數

💎 為什麼用單數?因為英文把這些「數量」當成一個整體概念來看,而不是個別的小單位。

3-6 看起來複數 + 但其實單數

動詞例句原因
newsisThe news is good.不可數名詞
mathematicsisMathematics is interesting.學科名
physicsisPhysics is difficult.學科名
economicsisEconomics is my major.學科名
politicsisPolitics is complicated.學科名
the United StatesisThe U.S. is a big country.國名(雖有 s)
the PhilippinesisThe Philippines is in Asia.國名
billiardsisBilliards is fun.運動名

🚨 這些字有 s 結尾,但不是複數! 動詞用單數!

3-7 there is / there are 的「就近原則」

句型用法例句
There is + 單數N「有」一個東西There is a book on the desk.
There are + 複數N「有」多個東西There are books on the desk.

就近原則:當 there 後面有多個名詞,動詞跟最近的那個名詞一致!

句子動詞跟誰?正確
There ___ a pen and two books.跟 a pen(最近,單)There is a pen and two books.
There ___ two books and a pen.跟 two books(最近,複)There are two books and a pen.

💎 跟 either…or / neither…nor 的就近原則一樣(05 連接詞 詳解)!

3-8 either…or / neither…nor + 主詞動詞一致

動詞跟最靠近的主詞一致:

句子動詞
Neither he nor I am wrong.跟 I → am
Neither I nor he is wrong.跟 he → is
Either you or she has to go.跟 she → has

🎯 8 大陷阱即時練習(5 題)

1. Choose: Each of the boys ______ a different opinion. (A) have (B) has (C) are having (D) were having

2. Choose: The number of tourists ______ growing every year. (A) are (B) is (C) were (D) have

3. Choose: Everyone in my class ______ excited about the trip. (A) are (B) is (C) were (D) have

4. Choose: Mathematics ______ my favorite subject. (A) are (B) is (C) were (D) have

5. Translate: 「我們之中沒有人知道答案。」(Use Nobody / None of us)

寫好答案再往下看 👇

解答與詳解


四、介系詞片語不影響主詞!

🚨 這是考試超愛挖的陷阱——在主詞和動詞之間插入一段介系詞片語,看你會不會被混淆!

4-1 黃金鐵律

主詞和動詞之間的介系詞片語不是主詞的一部分!動詞只跟「真正的主詞」一致。

句子真正主詞介系詞片語(干擾)動詞
The teacher, along with her students, is going.The teacher(單)along with her studentsis ✓
The box of chocolates is on the table.The box(單)of chocolatesis ✓
The boys, together with their teacher, are here.The boys(複)together with their teacherare ✓
The price of these books is high.The price(單)of these booksis ✓

4-2 常見「假主詞」介系詞片語

這些片語只是補充說明,不影響真正的主詞:

片語意思不影響主詞
along with以及
together with和…一起
with和…
as well as以及
besides除了…
in addition to此外
including包括
except除了

4-3 經典對比:with vs. and

連接效果例句
with不影響主詞The teacher with the students is going.
and真正合併兩個主詞 → 複數The teacher and the students are going.

💎 判斷技巧:把介系詞片語「打括號」蓋掉,看剩下的真正主詞。

🎯 介系詞片語陷阱即時練習(5 題)

1. Choose: The book on the shelves ______ mine. (A) is (B) are (C) were (D) have

2. Choose: My brother, along with his friends, ______ playing basketball. (A) is (B) are (C) were (D) have

3. Choose: The students, as well as their teacher, ______ going on a field trip. (A) is (B) are (C) was (D) has

4. 改錯:The list of items are too long.

5. Translate: 「公主和七個小矮人住在森林裡。」(Use the princess and the seven dwarfs)

寫好答案再往下看 👇

解答與詳解


五、there is / here is 的就近原則

詳細在 3-7 已經介紹。規則:動詞跟最近的名詞一致!

5-1 正確寫法對比

句子對否
There is a book and two pens on the desk.✓(跟 a book)
There are two pens and a book on the desk.✓(跟 two pens)
There are a book and two pens on the desk.✗(不跟最近的)
There is two pens and a book on the desk.✗(不跟最近的)

🎯 there is/are 即時練習(5 題)

1. Choose: There ______ a cat and three dogs in the yard. (A) is (B) are (C) was (D) were

2. Choose: There ______ five books and a pen on the table. (A) is (B) are (C) was (D) has

3. Choose: Here ______ your coffee and two donuts. (A) is (B) are (C) was (D) have

4. 改錯:There are a problem with this computer.

5. Translate: 「桌上有兩個杯子和一個盤子。」(用 there is/are with 就近原則)

寫好答案再往下看 👇

解答與詳解


六、考試焦點與陷阱排行

學測主詞動詞一致考題的 8 大陷阱

排名考點出題頻率難度
1the number of vs. a number of★★★★★★★★★☆
2Everyone / Everybody + 單數動詞★★★★★★★☆☆☆
3主詞 + 介系詞片語 + 動詞★★★★★★★★☆☆
4each / every + 單數★★★★☆★★☆☆☆
5Either…or / Neither…nor 就近原則★★★★☆★★★☆☆
6集合名詞(family, team)★★★☆☆★★★☆☆
7距離/時間/金額 → 單數★★★☆☆★★☆☆☆
8news / physics / mathematics → 單數★★☆☆☆★★☆☆☆

終極陷阱對照表

陷阱錯誤 ❌正確 ✅
EveryoneEveryone are here.Everyone is here.
The number ofThe number of students are 30.The number of students is 30.
A number ofA number of students is absent.A number of students are absent.
介系詞片語The teacher with students are going.The teacher with students is going.
EachEach of the boys have a book.Each of the boys has a book.
Every A and BEvery boy and girl are ready.Every boy and girl is ready.
The newsThe news are good.The news is good.
Neither…norNeither he nor I is wrong.Neither he nor I am wrong.

章末總測驗 (Chapter Test) — 30 題

🟢 基礎題 (1-10)

1. The dog ______ running in the park. (A) is (B) are (C) were (D) have

2. My parents ______ teachers. (A) is (B) am (C) are (D) was

3. Everyone in the class ______ the answer. (A) know (B) knows (C) knowing (D) knew

4. ______ there any milk in the fridge? (A) Is (B) Are (C) Does (D) Do

5. The number of cars ______ increasing every year. (A) is (B) are (C) were (D) have

6. Each student ______ responsible for their own homework. (A) is (B) are (C) were (D) have

7. He, along with his friends, ______ going to the concert. (A) are (B) is (C) were (D) have

8. A number of students ______ absent today. (A) is (B) was (C) are (D) has

9. Ten miles ______ a long distance to walk. (A) are (B) is (C) were (D) have

10. Neither Tom nor his sisters ______ coming to the party. (A) is (B) are (C) has (D) was


🟡 進階題 (11-20)

11. The news ______ very shocking this morning. (A) are (B) is (C) were (D) have been

12. Physics ______ my favorite subject. (A) are (B) is (C) were (D) have

13. The box of chocolates ______ on the table. (A) are (B) is (C) were (D) have

14. Every man, woman, and child ______ the right to education. (A) have (B) has (C) are having (D) were having

15. There ______ a book and two pens on the desk. (A) is (B) are (C) has (D) have

16. One of my best friends ______ a doctor. (A) are (B) is (C) were (D) have

17. The teacher, as well as her students, ______ excited about the trip. (A) are (B) is (C) were (D) have

18. The United States ______ a large country. (A) are (B) is (C) were (D) have

19. Neither the teacher nor the students ______ aware of the change. (A) is (B) was (C) were (D) has

20. A group of children ______ playing in the park.(美式英文,當整體看) (A) is (B) are (C) has (D) have


🔴 挑戰題 (21-30)

21. Find errors and fix: (a) Everyone have their own opinion. (b) The number of people are waiting outside. (c) The teacher together with the students are going on a field trip. (d) The news are reporting a major earthquake.

22. Choose all correct sentences: (A) There is a cat and two dogs in the room. (B) There are a cat and two dogs in the room. (C) There are two dogs and a cat in the room. (D) There is two dogs and a cat in the room.

23. Fill in is or are: (a) A number of tourists ______ visiting the museum. (b) The number of tourists ______ increasing this year. (c) A number of problems ______ still unsolved. (d) The number of problems ______ smaller than expected.

24. Choose all correct: (A) Each of the students have finished the test. (B) Each of the students has finished the test. (C) The students each has finished the test. (D) The students each have finished the test.

25. Choose: Which is correct? (A) The committee has reached a decision. (B) The committee have different opinions. (C) Both A and B can be correct depending on the meaning. (D) Neither A nor B is correct.

26. Translate (注意主詞動詞一致): (a) 「我家人裡每個人都有自己的房間。」(Use everyone) (b) 「五百元對學生來說是一大筆錢。」(Use 500 dollars + a lot of money) (c) 「不是 Tom 也不是他的弟弟們會來。」(Use neither…nor)

27. Find errors: (a) “Two-thirds of the cake were eaten.”(蛋糕的三分之二被吃了) (b) “The number of students taking math have increased.” (c) “Each of we wants to participate.”

28. Choose the correct verb form for each: (a) Mathematics ______ (be) my weakest subject. (b) The Philippines ______ (be) a beautiful country. (c) Twenty kilometers ______ (be) a long way to walk. (d) Two and three ______ (be) five.

29. Identify the subject and choose the correct verb: “Among the students in this class, the only one who consistently ______ (do/does) the homework on time is Mary.”

30. Terminal challenge—rewrite fixing all errors: “Everyone in the room are happy because the news are good. The number of guests are around 50. Each of them have brought a gift. Mathematics, along with physics, are difficult subjects, but everyone here are passionate about learning.”


章末總測驗 解答與詳解

🟢 基礎題 解答


🟡 進階題 解答


🔴 挑戰題 解答


課前快問 解答

詳見前面解答區。


自我評分

分數(30 題)等級建議
27-30🏆 威威等級主詞動詞一致全內化!進入 08 名詞與冠詞
22-26🥈 穩健等級重點複習:the/a number of、everyone 單數、介系詞片語。
16-21🥉 加油等級把「8 大陷阱對照表」逐一背熟。
0-15💪 再出發從基本規則開始:第三人稱單數動詞加 s/es。

複習計畫

時間內容
今天全文 + 即時練習 + 章末測驗
第 3 天重做錯題 + 默寫 8 大陷阱
第 7 天自己出 5 題 the/a number of 給自己做
第 14 天找 1 篇英文文章,圈出所有主詞動詞,檢查一致性
考試前重看「終極陷阱對照表」

學習科學小知識:測試效應 (Testing Effect)

認知心理學最堅實的發現之一:「考自己」比「重複閱讀」更能提升記憶——這叫測試效應 (Testing Effect)

為什麼?考試時你的大腦在做兩件事:

  1. 提取(從記憶中找答案)
  2. 回饋(看到對錯後修正)

這兩個動作會強化神經連結,讓記憶更牢固。被動閱讀只有「輸入」,沒有「輸出」,所以記憶很快流失。

應用到主詞動詞一致:不要只是讀規則——多做題、多錯、多修正!每一個錯誤都是大腦在「校準」記憶的機會。

威威老師為什麼把這麼多練習題塞到講義裡?就是這個原理。主動提取 > 被動閱讀——效率差 5 倍以上。


上一篇: 06 形容詞與副詞 下一篇: 08 名詞與冠詞 相關主題: 02 代名詞 | 05 連接詞