考點二 their等物主代詞
1．物主代詞是常見的名詞限定詞, 其后既可接可數名詞的單復數(his pen, his pens)又可接不可數名詞(his time), 但不可與其他的限定詞同時出現(部分數詞除外)， 例如：不能說no my car, my no car，但是可以說 My two red cars
2．英語中許多習慣用法在表示特指時都用物主代詞而不用the, 為的是更突出所屬關系，這在TOEFL中是一個常考的點
例如：Manufacutrers of consumer goods often change the styles of their products.
這里用their 而不用 the
例題:
(1)
A good exercise program helps teach people to avoid the habits that might shorten the lives.
應改為: their
解釋: 定冠詞the指代不清, 用物主代詞their作名詞lives的限定語更符合英語習慣, 還可突出lives 與people之間的所屬關系
(2)
A liquid is similar to a gas because has molecules are not fixed to each other in any specific way.
應改為: its
解釋: has是動詞, 不能修飾名詞, 且與從句的謂語沖突, 依句意改為物主代詞its作molecules的限定語
考點三 只接復數名詞的限定詞
a (large /small /great /considerable /remarkable) number of, a variety of, a set of, a few, 等表示數的固定詞組之后總是接復數名詞
例題:
(1)
In mathematical terms, modern algebra is set of objects with rules for connecting or relating those objects.
應改為: is a set
解釋: a set of是固定詞組, 表示一套、一組, 后面接可數名詞的復數, 與題中objects吻合
(2)
At birth, an infant exhibits a remarkable number of motor response.
應改為: responses
解釋: 短語a number of 后面要求接可數名詞的復數, number前可加某些形容詞如great, considerable, remarkable, small 等表示a lot of 或 a few
注意 “the number of” 和 “a number of”的區別
The number of boys in Class Five is 25. (五班男孩的數目是25，后面謂語動詞用單數)
A small number of families are able to afford an apartment. (少數家庭能夠買得起一套住房, )
