核心问题
many a 与 many, a great many 和 a good many 在用法上有何区别?
词典解答
从语义上讲,这三个短语的含义是相同的,都作“许多”“很多”解,只是 many a 属正式语体。但从语法上讲,many a 与 many, a great many 和 a good many 是不同的。前者要求与单数名词连用,并使用单数谓语动词,而后三者则要求与复数名词连用,并使用复数谓语动词。例如:
-
Many a reckless driver came to grief after having ignored the warning signs at the top of this steep hill. 许多粗心的司机没有注意到陡峭的山顶处树立的警告标志,造成了不幸。
-
For many a day it rained. (RCD) 雨下了很多天。
-
Many a man would be glad of your job. (Eckersley) 很多人都对你的工作满意。
-
Philip found that there were a good many people already there. (Maugham) 菲利普发现已有很多人在那里了。
-
I read a great many English books. (Walpole) 我读过很多英文书。请做下面的英语试题：
-
A great many man were killed. A B C D
-
Be careful! Many ship has been wrecked there. A B C D