很多語法書上都認為,quantity修飾名詞時,謂語動詞不是根據(jù)名詞判斷,而是看quantity的形式,
如果是a quantity of,動詞就用第三人稱單數(shù),
如果是quantities of,動詞就用復(fù)數(shù)形式.
但是也有另外一種說法,就是quantity的主謂一致分三種情況：
the quantity of 后面用單數(shù)
a quantity of 后面的動詞根據(jù)名詞的單復(fù)數(shù)判斷
quantities of 后面的動詞用復(fù)數(shù).
a large quantity of 后接單數(shù)還是復(fù)數(shù)動詞要根據(jù)前面的名詞作判斷---這一點比較統(tǒng)一
the quantity of 不管后面是名詞的復(fù)數(shù)形式還是不可數(shù)名詞,都把主語當成一個主體,后接動詞單數(shù)形式,這也是比較統(tǒng)一的認識.
但quantities of 后接動詞的單數(shù)還是復(fù)數(shù)形式,不同語法書就有不同的認識.有的認為不管怎樣都用復(fù)數(shù)形式,有的認為
quantities of +不可數(shù)名詞+單數(shù)動詞
+ 復(fù)數(shù)名詞+復(fù)數(shù)動詞
所以不好形式統(tǒng)一的認識.但是贊成都用復(fù)數(shù)的人比較多.
專家說
Quantity,單數(shù)復(fù)數(shù)?
Joe 發(fā)表于 2007-5-1 12:04:00
湖北省黃岡市英山一中 馬保國
主謂一致是高中英語考試的重要考點之一,其中不乏難題,尤其是帶有限定詞的名詞短語作主語時,最難選擇謂語的單復(fù)數(shù)形式.例如,“a quantity of +名詞”作主語時,謂語是用單數(shù)還是用復(fù)數(shù)就讓廣大考生困惑不已,因為目前的教輔讀物中眾說紛紜,矛盾重重,讓人莫衷一是,到底是用單數(shù)還是用復(fù)數(shù)呢?且看下文：
問題篇：
下述幾例選自學生中很有市場的幾種教輔讀物,他們的結(jié)論讓學生誤入歧途：
1.《高中專項無敵---語法》（新疆青少年出版社---王建村）
（P74） a large quantity of 不管后面跟可數(shù)名詞還是不可數(shù)名詞,都要用單數(shù)動詞,比較：
Large quantities of money have been sent there.
A large quantity of books has been offered to us.
2．《各個擊破叢書（高中英語專項）---語法》（延邊人民出版社---王建軍）
（數(shù)詞與主謂一致p24）
A (large) quantity of 修飾可數(shù)或不可數(shù)名詞,其短語作主語時,謂語動詞用單數(shù).
例如：A large quantity of people is needed here.
(large) quantities of修飾可數(shù)或不可數(shù)名詞,其短語作主語時,謂語動詞用復(fù)數(shù).
例如：Quantities of food (nuts) were on the table.
3．English Weekly
專家篇：
筆者遍閱專家語法,發(fā)現(xiàn)專家們的觀點并非如此,他們認為：
1. 徐廣聯(lián)在《大學英語語法講座與測試》（華東理工大學出版社）中表示,a quantity of 只能修飾不可數(shù)名詞,謂語動詞用單數(shù).A quantity of 間或也可以修飾可數(shù)名詞,例如,A quantity of baskets were on sale.
2. 張懷信在《英語高考活用圖解辭典》（延邊大學出版社）中講到,a large/small quantity of 大量的/少量的（可以修飾可數(shù)名詞或不可數(shù)名詞）,例如,I need a large quantity of oil (apples). quantities of 大批的,大量的,例如,Large quantities of polluted water are flowing into the sea. 該書所附〈語法祥解篇---主謂一致〉還明確指出“在以上（a lot of, lots of, plenty of, a large quantity of + 名詞）的詞組后面的名詞是中心詞,謂語動詞根據(jù)后面的名詞的數(shù)而定”.
3．顧南華在《中高級英語考試指南》（華中工學院出版社）中說,a quantity of, quantities of可跟可數(shù)名詞與不可數(shù)名詞,并舉有三例：There is a large quantity of milk. Great quantities of fish are caught on the high sea. Large quantities of water are needed for cooling purposes.在452頁講到“a quantity of + 不可數(shù)名詞”,謂語只用單數(shù),“quantities of + 可數(shù)與不可數(shù)名詞”,謂語要用復(fù)數(shù).
4．章振邦在《新編英語語法》（上海譯文出版社）212頁中講到,a quantity of既可用于復(fù)數(shù)可數(shù)名詞,也可用于不可數(shù)名詞.例如, A large quantity of flowers were heaped on the martyr’s tomb. A large quantity of beer was consumed. Quantities of food were on the table.
5. 劉銳誠在《學生使用英語高考必備》（中國青年出版社）中認為,a quantity of +名詞[C,U][+單或復(fù)數(shù)動詞],quantities of +名詞[C,U] [+復(fù)數(shù)動詞].
6. 張鑫友在《英語語法難題新探（句法篇）》（中國地質(zhì)大學出版社）529頁中說,在…a large quantity of…等短語后既可接復(fù)數(shù)可數(shù)名詞,亦可接不可數(shù)名詞.在它們分別和其后的名詞構(gòu)成短語作主語時,其謂語動詞通常跟of后名詞的具體情況而采用單數(shù)或復(fù)數(shù)形式.

結(jié)論篇：
1．a(chǎn) quantity of后既可接復(fù)數(shù)可數(shù)名詞,亦可接不可數(shù)名詞.在它們分別和其后的名詞構(gòu)成短語作主語時,其謂語動詞通常看of后名詞的具體情況而采用單數(shù)或復(fù)數(shù)形式.如果是接不可數(shù)名詞,則謂語用單數(shù)形式,如果是接復(fù)數(shù)可數(shù)名詞,則謂語通常要采用復(fù)數(shù)形式（※偶而接單數(shù)式謂語,屬非規(guī)范用法,宜慎用.）
2．quantities of后既可接復(fù)數(shù)可數(shù)名詞,亦可接不可數(shù)名詞,后面的謂語都用復(fù)數(shù)形式.

例證篇：
1． On January 18, a large quantity of coloured photopaper, dried seafood, canned abalone, audio equipment and antibiotics worth HH$16million were found in four 40-foot containers, bound for… ( In brief--- China Daily, HK Edition, 20050122,P2)
2．Besides, a large quantity of mail bags were found. (US nationals arrested for DVD piracy---China Daily, 20040731, P1)
3． An undetermined quantity of weapons and ammunition were also seized, the spokesman said. (Raid in karbala and shots fired in Baghdad---China Daily, 2003102, P1)
4．…and a small quantity of dangerous drugs were seized. (Travel scheme causes concern in HK---China Daily, 20030822, P2)A
5．A quantity of fake certificates and official stamps were also seized. (Police seize 59 in major gang smash, 20030403)
※ 6. “…and a large quantity of drugs is reading different segments of society.” Wang said. (Zzzicit drug dealers executed----China Daily, 20030627, P2)