单数名词与谓语动词的一致。原则上单数名词作主语时要求单数谓语动词。如：
China is a developing country.中国是一个发展中的国家。
A car has more than 10,000 parts.一辆汽车有10000多个组件。
但以下8中情形需要个案处理：
（1）单数集体名词被视为一个整体时，用单数形式的谓语动词；被视为若干个体时，则用复数形式的谓语动词。如：
The class consists of twenty-five boys and twenty girls.这个班由25名男生和20名女生组成。
The class are doing experiments in the laboratory.全班学生正在实验室里做实验。
（2）有些单数集体名词，即所谓的“群体名词”，如police，militia，cattle等，英式英语多用复数形式的谓语动词，而美式英语多用单数形式的谓语动词。如：
The police are making enquiries about the murder.警方正在调查那起谋杀案。
The militia are fighting the terrorists in the north of the country.民兵组织正在该国的北方打击恐怖分子。
（3）“more than one + 单数名词”结构上虽有复数意义，但习惯上多要求用单数形式的谓语动词。如：
More than one question was asked.提出的问题不止一个。
More than one student has failed the exam.不止一个学生考试不及格。
（4）“more + 复数名词 + than one”结构要求用复数形式的谓语动词。如：
More members than one have protested against the proposal.反对这项提议的会员不止一个。
（5）“a(n) + 单数名词 + or two”结构要求用单数谓语动词。如：
A day or two is enough.一两天就够了。
A servant or two was to accompany them.将有一两个仆人去陪他们。
（6）“one or two + 复数名词”结构要求复数谓语动词。如：
One or two answers are given below.以下给出了一两个答案。
One or two guests are coming tonight.今晚有一两个客人要来。
（7）“many a(n) + 单数名词”结构要求单数谓语动词。如：
Many a fine man has died in that battle.许多优秀士兵死于那场战役。
Many a page in this book is missing.这本书缺了许多页。
（8）在“两个形容词 + 一个单数名词”结构中，单数名词如有复数意义，则用复数谓语动词。如：
English and French grammar are not difficult to learn.英语语法和法语语法不难学。
The red and the white rose are both beautiful.红玫瑰和白玫瑰都很美。