核心问题
Large amounts of money ____ (was/were) spent on the bridge.
我不能确定是选 was, 还是选 were。请释疑。
词典解答
按照英语惯用法, 当 a large amount (quantity) of + 不可数名词或 (large) amounts (quantities) of + 不可数名词充当主语时, 其谓语动词的数决定于 amount (quantity) 的数。所以, 在上面的句子里, 应当选 were。请看下面的例句:
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Quantities of food were on the table. (LDCE) 大量的食物摆在了桌子上。
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Vast amounts of money ____ invested in the local market. A. have being B. is C. has D. are being(TOEFL)
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"What does Canada export?" "Large quantities of wheat ____ sent abroad." A. is B. are C. have D. is being(TOEFL)