在英式英语中,当audience表示不可分割的整体时,其谓语动词应当用单数形式。如:
The
audience
was
large.
观众数目很大。
The
audience
was
deeply
affected.
观众深受感动。
但是,当audience强调组成该集合体的分散个体时,其谓语动词常使用复数形式。如:
The
audience
were
all
waving
their
programmes.
观众都挥舞着节目单。
The
audience
are
requested
to
be
in
their
seats.
要求观众坐在自己的座位上。
此外,
crew,
public,
crowd,
movement,
family,
class,
company,
group,
college等集体名词的用法与audience的用法基本相同。