表金额的主语应用什么动词形式?

有一读者问: 有这样四道选择题:

(1)_____£100 worth of pennies in the bag.

(2)_____£100 in pennies in the bag.

(3)_____£10 worth of eightcents and fourcents stamps in the drawer.

(4)_________sixpence in the pocket.

A. There are B. There is

请分别给以解答。

上述句(2)和句(4)属于同一类,其主语皆表金额。句(2)的答案应为There is,因为£100在概念上指一笔钱,故其动词应用单数。句(4)中的sixpence在此亦指一笔钱,是一不可数名词,应用单数动词,故此句亦应填以There is。

上述句(1)与句(3)属于同一类,其主语都是名词worth。worth表金额时,其动词一般应与金额一致,如:

(5)Thousands of pounds' worth of damage have been done to the apple crop.

但在there be结构中,则可用单数动词,如:

(6)There was about $400 worth of damage.

所以,上述句(1)与句(3)皆可填以There is。