3月 02 2009
None of these
我其实一直有这个疑惑，在适用 None of these 这样的词组时，后面跟的动词照理应该是单数形式，但是 None of them has this skill 这样的句子看上去不是太顺眼。这个星期六《泰晤士报》的读者反馈上 Sally Baker 对此进行了一番调查发现：
It is a mistake to suppose that the pronoun is singular only and must at all costs be followed by singular verbs or pronouns.
以及：
Use a singular verb where possible but if the notion of plurality is present a plural verb has been optional since the OE period and in some circumstances is desirable. The type ‘none of them have finished their essays’ is better than the clumsy ‘…has finished his or her essay’.
原来 None of these, None of them 这样的词组之后的动词，可以适用单数形式，也可以适用复数形式，取决于上下文。
我又查了《卫报》的“文字规范”(Style guide)，同样写道：
none
It is a (very persistent) myth that “none” has to take a singular verb: plural is acceptable and often sounds more natural, eg “none of the current squad are good enough to play in the Premiership”, “none of the issues have been resolved”
