为什么定语从句有的用单数动词,有的用复数动词?

有一读者问: 请解释下面三个句子中的定语从句为什么有的用单数动词,有的用复数动词。

(1)He is one of those students who comes from the south.

(2)Mr. Gilmore is one of those men who appears to be friendly, however, it is very hard to deal with him.

(3)He is one of those who are afraid of difficulties.

根据语法规则,例(1)的定语从句用的是单数动词comes,该从句自应修饰one of those students, 而不应修饰those students。同样,例(2)的定语从句亦应修饰one of those men,而不应修饰those men。例(3)的定语从句用的是复数动词are,故而该从句应修饰those,不应修饰one of those。然而实际情况是:许多人在应用复数动词的地方却用了单数动词。有的语法学家甚至说六个人当中会有五个人这样做,根据这种实际情况来看,上述例句中除第(3)句没有歧义外,其余两句都会产生歧义。对此我们应该如何判断呢? 唯一的判断标准是当时的情景或具体的上下文。尤其是例(2),在一定的上下文中,其定语从句很可能修饰those men哩!