OG 107

[Evita]

107. Downzoning, zoning that typically results in the reduction of housing density, allows for more open space in areas where little water or services exist.

(A) little water or services exist

(B) little water or services exists

(C) few services and little water exists

(D) there is little water or services available

(E) there are few services and little available water

這題答案是E,我沒有問題,但OG對於B,C,D的解釋是Since water and services are being discussed as a pair, they should logically be treated as a compound suject requiring a plural verb; thus, the singular verbs "exists" (in B and C) and "is" (in D) are wrong.

我想請問:我記得以前學過的文法是當出現A or B的時候,動詞是跟著最接近的名詞的,那為什麼B跟D要改為複數動詞呢?雖然OG說要將water跟services視為a pair,但我們要怎麼去區別什麼時候是a pair而去使用複數動詞呢?

謝謝~~

[維尼]

107. Downzoning, zoning that typically results in the reduction of housing density, allows for more open space in areas where little water or services exist.

(A) little water or services exist

(B) little water or services exists

(C) few services and little water exists

(D) there is little water or services available

(E) there are few services and little available water

這題答案是E,我沒有問題,但OG對於B,C,D的解釋是Since water and services are being discussed as a pair, they should logically be treated as a compound suject requiring a plural verb; thus, the singular verbs "exists" (in B and C) and "is" (in D) are wrong.

我想請問:我記得以前學過的文法是當出現A or B的時候,動詞是跟著最接近的名詞的,那為什麼B跟D要改為複數動詞呢?雖然OG說要將water跟services視為a pair,但我們要怎麼去區別什麼時候是a pair而去使用複數動詞呢?

謝謝~~

我自己的解讀是
既然是一個pair
連接詞自然應該是用 and 而不是用 or

至於你所提到 subject-verb agreement 中的 臨近規則
是沒錯的
只是本題根本不該用 or :P

想聽聽大家的意見