英語(yǔ)中有三個(gè)不定代詞,它們只用于兩者,不用于表示三者。這三個(gè)不定代詞是 both, either, neither。這三個(gè)不定代詞在中考英語(yǔ)考題中經(jīng)常被考查到,且很容易出錯(cuò),所以同學(xué)們應(yīng)引起高度注意。
both, either, neither 這三個(gè)不定代詞都用來(lái)談?wù)搩烧撸渲衎oth 意為“(兩者)都”, either意為“(兩者中)任意一個(gè)”,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(gè)”,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(gè)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(shí),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(shū)中哪一本都行。
Neither of the stories is interesting. / Neither story is interesting. 兩個(gè)故事都沒(méi)有趣。
注:不定代詞 both, either, neither 用作主語(yǔ)時(shí),both 之后的謂語(yǔ)動(dòng)詞總是復(fù)數(shù),either 和 neither 后的謂語(yǔ)動(dòng)詞通常用單數(shù)。