语法书上说,有些表示游戏的名词虽然形式上是复数,但它们在意义上是单数,所以它们用作主语时,谓语动词要用单数。如:
Billiards is played by women as well as men. 打台球男女皆宜。
请问具有这样用法的“游戏”名词主要有哪些?
这类名词比较常见的有:billiards (台球),bowls (滚球),darts (投镖),dominoes (多米诺骨牌)等——即当它些名词表示游戏时,它们通常表示单数意思。如:
Billiards is becoming more and more popular. 台球越来越普及。
但是要注意区分是表示“游戏本身”还是表示“游戏所用的工具”,若表示后者,则表示复数意义。如以下两句摘自《柯林斯英语词典》:
Dominoes are small rectangular blocks marked with two groups of spots on one side. They are used for playing various games.
Dominoes is a game in which players put dominoes onto a table in turn.