英語中有三個不定代詞,它們只用于兩者,不用于表示三者。這三個不定代詞是 both, either, neither。這三個不定代詞在中考英語考題中經(jīng)常被考查到,且很容易出錯,所以同學們應(yīng)引起高度注意。
both, either, neither 這三個不定代詞都用來談?wù)搩烧?,其中both 意為“(兩者)都”, either意為“(兩者中)任意一個”,neither 意為“(兩者)都不”。若要指三者或三者以上,分別用 all 意為“(三者)都”,any 意為“(三者中)任何一個”,none 意為“(三者)都不”等。比較:
He has two sons; both of them are clever.
He has three sons; all of them are clever.
He has two sons; either of them is clever.
He has three sons; any of them is clever.
He has two sons; neither of them is clever.
He has three sons; none of them are clever.
這三個表示“兩者”的不定代詞除用作代詞,還可用作形容詞。注意,用作形容詞時,both 后接復(fù)數(shù)名詞,而 either 和 neither 之后要接單數(shù)可數(shù)名詞。如:
Both of the brothers are here. / Both brothers are here. 兄弟倆都在這兒。
Either of the books will do. / Either book will do. 兩本書中哪一本都行。
Neither of the stories is interesting. / Neither story is interesting. 兩個故事都沒有趣。
注:不定代詞 both, either, neither 用作主語時,both 之后的謂語動詞總是復(fù)數(shù),either 和 neither 后的謂語動詞通常用單數(shù)。