核心问题
There in front of me ____ a great pile of old cans. A. have B. was C. were D. has
我们班的同学对上题的答案有分歧:有的说答案为 B,有的说答案为 C。我们英语老师也说答案为 C。是这样吗?
词典解答
此题的难点在于:从语法上说,上句的主语是一个单数名词 a pile,但从逻辑来说,这里的主语涉及的是复数的事物。在这种情况下,我们只好遵照英语惯用法:在 a pile of + 复数名词作主语时,其谓语动词大都使用单数,故答案为 B。但是,当 piles of + 复数名词作主语时,则谓语动词要用复数,例如:
The bookshelves were full and there were piles of books all over the floor. (CIDE) 书架上装满了书,地上也一堆一堆的书。