3 their careers 里的 careers 必须用复数吗

《葛传椝英语惯用法词典》在 career 词条说,career 表示“事业”或“一生的经历”,不是抽象名词,如 their careers 里必须用复数形式。

但我看到下面这句用的是单数,是对的吗?

Their gender need not affect their career. 他们的性别不一定会影响他们的职业。

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最佳答案 2021-06-08 10:38

应该说葛老的说法没有错,我个人学习的体会是如果名词使用单数,是指复数主语中的每一个人各自的情形。这也是现代英语中常见的现象。你的问题句就是指他们每人各自的职业。这里职业是可数名词单数,当然用复数也可以。请看例句:

A bigger challenge happens when your children are old enough to want — or insist upon — riding their own bike, but still too slow or weak to ride long distances quickly.

All students, staff and faculty at the University of Cincinnati are asked to register their bicycle with the Department of Public Safety.

This online development portal is available to all UC faculty, academic personnel, staff and students seeking to advance their career.

For women who are looking to advance their careers, following these ten tips is a step in the right direction.

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其它 2 个回答

曾克辉  
擅长:英语考试

葛老先生说的是对的,career是可数名词,所以their careers中的career应该用复数。英美国家确有Their gender need not affect their career.之类的表达,但建议不要模仿。经查,美国当代英语语料库(COCA)中their careers的表达有3389例,而their career的表达仅1555例。

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曹荣禄  
擅长:动词用法,句法问题

网友可在本网搜索分配性复数,阅读有关解答。

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  • 李思敏   提出于 2021-06-04 16:29

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