在一道语法填空题中,考查了there be句型的用法:
The art dates back to the late eighteen century and there ______ acting, talking, singing, music, dancing, and acrobatics.
答案是填are,但是there be不是要遵循就近原则的吗?acting作为动名词be动词不是应该用is吗?
The art dates back to the late eighteen century and there ______ acting, talking, singing, music, dancing, and acrobatics.
你的疑问是有道理的。这道题出得并不严谨。本句填 is 或 are 都不算错。
在通常情况下,there be需遵循就近原则,但这并不是绝对的。我手头曾收集过一些相关的例句,比如:
There is gin, whisky and sherry; which will you have? 我们这里有杜松子酒、威士忌酒以及雪利酒。您想要哪一种?(《牛津英语语法》)
In his makings there are generosity, gallantry and something of the like. 在他的气质中有着慷慨、豪侠以及诸如此类的东西。(《英语介词用法词典》)
并非所有的语法规则,老外的看法都一致。there be 的就近原则就是一例。有些语法专家就认为 there be 的就近原则(类似网友举的例子)只适用于informal English,而在 formal English中,还得要用 there are。比如 Azar 所写的 Understanding and Using Grammar 一书中就明确指出:
Formal: There are a book and a pen on the desk.
Informal: There is a book and a pen on the desk.