代词一般用来指代一个事物,但这个事物有时候是个个体事物,有时候是个群体事物,所以代词也有单复数的区别。
比如我们学的人称代词:我工作~我们we、你you~你们you、它it~它们they,就是单复数的区别。代词和物主限定词单、复数形式的选择通常取决于它们的指示对象,即先行项的单、复数形式。例,All members of the group have already made their decisions. 这里,all members是指示对象(先行项),所以其后的代词选用their。关于代词单、复数形式的选择,还需要注意以下几点:
1. 先行项为every-,some-等复合词时:语法一致原则,代词一般用单数:Anybody can come here if he is interested.当先行项为everybody,everyone时,代词一般用复数更为自然。Everyone was clapping their hands.当先行项为everything,anything,something,nothing时,代词用单数。Everything in the bag is broken, isn’t it?
2. 先行项为并列结构时:意义一致原则。My friend and roommate has done well in her exam, so she is happy now.My friend and roommate have agreed to lend their bikes to me.
3. 先行项为集体名词时:意义一致原则。The team has won its first game.The team are now preparing themselves for the next game.
3. 先行项为“...+each”时:若each在动词后,代词则为单数:They had each his own problem.若each在动词前,代词则为复数:They each had their problems.