the加单数可数名词后的谓语动词是用单数还是复数

题目

the加单数可数名词后的谓语动词是用单数还是复数
The teacher said that the class were, in general,very bright.
The teacher said that the class was more than forty in number.
为什么两个句子后面的谓语动词一个是单数一个是复数?

答案

The teacher said that the class were,in general,very bright.
The teacher said that the class was more than forty in number.
为什么两个句子后面的谓语动词一个是单数一个是复数?
这是集体名词中的一个用法.
因为the class的意思不同：第一句是这个班的同学（指的是每一个人）；第二句是指这个班（整体）；当我们说“这个班的同学（们）都很聪明”的时候,就是指同学们；而当我们说“这班数字上超过40人时”就是指整体；
例：The family are watching TV.这个家人们看电视.
The family is very big.这个家很大.
有些集体名词一般用复数的.police(警察们）,people（人们）,cattle（牛群）