AIDS 是 Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome(获得性免疫缺损综合征)的首字母缩写,即通常说的“艾滋病”,它并不表示复数意义,所以用作主语时谓语动词总是单数。如:
AIDS is a fatal disease. 艾滋病是绝症。
AIDS is a serious illness. 艾滋病是严重的疾病。
AIDS lowers the body’s resistance to infection. 艾滋病会降低身体对感染的抵抗力。
AIDS kills mostly the young population of a nation. These are the people who contribute most to a country’s economic development. 死于艾滋病的主要是一个国家的年轻人,而正是这些人对国家经济发展贡献最大。
另外,下面一句是2006年高考英语的湖北卷考题,AIDS作主语,谓语动词也是用的单数:
AIDS is said to have been the biggest health challenge to both men and women in that area over the past few years. 据说在过几年中,艾滋病一直被认为是那个地区对男人和女人最大的健康挑战。(2006湖北卷)