也称“邻近原则”“就近一致原则”(Proximity),即:谓语与靠近的名词、代词(有时不一定是主语)在“人称、数”上一致。
在正式文体中:
1.由下列词语连接的并列主语:"there be+句型; or ; either
…or;nor; neither…nor;whether…or;not…but; not only…but also" ; 等。
e.g. ①What he does or what he says does not concern me.
他的行为或言谈都与我无关。
②Neither you nor I am wrong .
你和我都没错。
③Not you but your father is to blame.
不是你,而是你的父亲该受责备。
④Not only you but(also) he is wrong.
不仅你错了,他也错了。
2. 在倒装句中:谓语可与后面第一个主语一致。
①In the distance was heard the clapping of hands and
the shouts of the people . 在远处,能听见鼓掌声和人们的呼喊声。
②There is a pen and some books on the desk
.桌上有一支钢笔和几本书。
③There are some books and a pen on the
desk.桌子上有几本书和一支钢笔。
非正式文体中:
有时依“就近一致原则”,但也可依“意义一致原则”或严格地依“语法一致原则”。e.g.
Neither she nor I were there (意义一致) 我和她当时都不在那儿。(非正式)
Neither she nor I was there .(就近一致)(译文同上句)(正式)
但是,如果依“就近一致原则”而与其他两项原则相矛盾时,则常常认为是不太合符规范的。e.g.
No one except his own supporters agree with him
.仅他自己的支持者同意他的意见。(依“就近”和“意义”一致的原则;但语法上,“No one
”才是主语,谓语要改成“agrees”。“写作中”一般要依“语法一致”原则。
there be结构,以及由or, neither...nor....,either...or......, not only....but also....连接的并列主语,谓语动词遵循就近原则。
由or,nor,either...or,neither...nor,not only...but (also),not...but等连接并列主语时,使用就近原则