英語的動詞必須在人稱(person)、數目(number)、性別( gender)和格(case)這些方面和主語取得一致或互相呼應。

在學生的英文作文中，動詞與主語呼應上的錯誤，經常出現。

下面這句話來自一個重要的公共部門的通告，里面也出現了動詞與主語不一致的錯誤：

ABC corporation, with its five main subsidiary companies, have taken over the operations of the previous electricity and gas departments of XXX with effect from 1 october 1995.

這里的主語是“ABC corporation”，它是單數的，動詞也應該是單數的 has，不是復數的 have，因此犯了動詞與主語不對應的錯誤。

既然這是個常見的錯誤，我們便要特別留意，并且記住下面這些指導原則：

●動詞和主語在人稱和數目上要一致，如：

① I am a writer.

② Helen is an editor.

③ They have a good future.

④ Dr Chen teaches us English.

⑤ Some old houses were burnt to the ground.

⑥ A deserted hut has already been demolished.

●兩個或兩個以上的單數主語由連接詞“and”貫串起來時，便成了復數，動詞也要復數，如：

⑦ David and Jason are colleagues.

⑧The driver and the passenger were involved in a quarrel.

●兩個主語由“with”或“as well as ”等連接時，動詞要和第一個主語的人稱及數目呼應，如：

⑨ A woman with her puppies is walking along the lake.

⑩ The monitor as well as the other students has been scolded.

●兩個主語由“either……or”或“neither……nor”連接時，動詞要和第二個主語的人稱及數目呼應，如：

11. Either you or your friend is wrong.

12. Neither John nor his classmates have said it.

●集合名詞(collective noun)當整體看待時，動詞是單數，如：

13. The steering committee is made up of five members.

14. The jury has made its final decision.

有時可以個別看待集合名詞里的成員，這時這些成員合起來便變成復數，動詞也是復數了，如：

15. The committee have met once and they will meet again next month.

16. Despite hours of deliberations, the jury were still divided in their opinions.