一、概說
10.1 非限定動詞的含義和種類
非限定動詞(non-finite verb)是動詞的非謂語形式。非限定動詞和限定動詞不同。限定動詞(finite verb)在句中用作謂語,受主語的人稱和數(shù)的限制。如:
(1)I put my book down and look out of the window. 我放下書,望著窗外。
(2)Hunger and disease are would problems. 饑餓和疾病是世界性問題。
非限定動詞在句中不可單獨用作謂語,不受主語的人稱和數(shù)的限制;它在句中可以用作其它句子成分。非限定動詞有三種,即不定式、動名詞和分詞。如:
(3)Scientists hope to find a cure for cancer. 科學家們希望找到一種治療癌癥的方法。(不定式to find用作賓語)
(4)Backpacking is popular among college students. 背行李包旅行在大學生中很流行。(動名詞backpacking用作主語)
(5)People walking in poorly lighted areas at night should be extremely careful. 夜間在光線差的地方走路的人應當特別小心。(現(xiàn)在分詞walking用作定語)
(6)Badly torn garments should be mended by an experienced seamstress. 破得厲害的衣服應當找有經(jīng)驗的女縫工縫補。(過去分詞torn和experienced用作定語)
非限定動詞由于不能用作謂語,因而沒有語法上的主語,但它往往有邏輯上的主語。如:
(7)How can I get to know her? 我怎么能認識他呢?(不定式to know的邏輯主語是I)
(8)I can’t bear him staying up so late. 我不能忍受他這么晚睡。(動名詞staying的邏輯主語是him)
(9)Who is that speaking? 您是哪一位?(現(xiàn)在分詞speaking的邏輯主語是that)
(10)They plan further talks with interested parties in this question. 他們就此問題打算與有關各方進一步談判。(過去分詞interested的邏輯主語是parties)
非限定動詞短語往往可以轉化成各種從句。如:
(11)The foreign guests hope to join the National Day celebration of Beijing. → The foreign guests hope that they can join the National Day celebration of Beijing. 外賓希望參加北京的國慶慶祝會。(不定式短語轉化成賓語從句)
(12)The man standing there is our English teacher. → The man who is standing there is our English teacher. 站在那兒的那個人是我們的英語教師。(現(xiàn)在分詞短語轉化成定語從句)
(13)I regret being unable to help. → I regret that I cannot help. 我感到抱歉,不能幫助你。(動名詞短語轉化成賓語從句)
10.2 非限定動詞的性質
非限定動詞具有雙重性質,即它既有動詞性質,又有非動詞性質。
1)非限定動詞的動詞性質表現(xiàn)在:
a)有時式與語態(tài)的變化。如:
(1)I want to talk to you , Jill. 我想跟你談談,吉爾。(to talk是不定式一般式)
(2)They are said to have left London. 據(jù)說他們已經(jīng)離開倫敦。(to have left是不定式完成式)
(3)You’ve no need to be fearing. 你沒有必要害怕。(to be fearing是不定式進行式)
(4)Turning a corner quickly is frightening to pedestrians. 行車急拐彎是會驚嚇行人的。(turning是動名詞一般式)
(5)I remember having read about it in the newspapers. 我記得在報上讀到過這條消息。(having read是動名詞完成式)
(6)I don’t like being watched. 我不喜歡被人盯著。(being watched是動名詞被動式)
(7)Having been asked to stay, I couldn’t very well leave. 既然要我留下,我就不好走了。(having been asked是現(xiàn)在分詞完成被動式)
b)可被狀語所修飾。如:
(8)To drink while driving is dangerous. 開車時喝酒很危險。(不定式to drink為狀語while driving所修飾)
(9)Roller-skating on rough pavement invites accidents. 在不平的路面上滑旱冰容易出事故。(動名詞roller-skating為狀語on rough pavement所修飾)
(10)Increasing from 2.5 thousand million in 1950, the population of the world reached 5 thousand million in 1987. 世界人口已從1950年的25億增加到1987年的50億。(現(xiàn)在分詞increasing為狀語from …in所修飾)
(11)A chimney filled with soot requires the services of a qualified chimneysweep. 布滿煙灰的煙囪需要合格的煙囪清掃工去清掃。(過去分詞filled為狀語with soot所修飾)
c)及物動詞須有賓語。如:
(12)To kill bugs, spray the area regularly. 為了殺蟲,請定期在地面上灑藥。(及物動詞不定式to kill的賓語是bugs)
(13)Have you any reason for saying such a thing? 你有什么理由說這種話嗎?(及物動詞動名詞saying的賓語是such a thing)
(14)Having plenty of time, we walked to the station. 時間很充裕,我們步行去了車站。(及物動詞現(xiàn)在分詞having的賓語是plenty of time)
2)非限定動詞的非動詞性質表現(xiàn)在:
a)相當于名詞。如:
(15)To eat is to live. 吃飯是為了生活。(不定式to eat相當于名詞,用作主語)
(16)Teachers despise cheating. 教師厭惡作弊。(動名詞cheating相當于名詞,用作賓語)
b)相當于形容詞。如:
(17)A crying child is easily comforted by a few soothing words. 哭鬧的孩子容易用幾句好話安慰。(現(xiàn)在分詞crying相當于形容詞,作定語)
(18)A watched pot never boils. 心急鍋不開。(過去分詞watched相當于形容詞,作定語)
10.3 非限定動詞短語
非限定動詞與其賓語或狀語連用即構成非限定動詞短語。非限定動詞短語有三種:
1)不定式短語。如:
(1)He gave her a knife to cut the bread with. 他給她一把刀子切面包。
(2)To cooperate with others is important. 同他人合作是很重要的。
2)動名詞短語。如:
(3)He likes reading aloud. 他喜歡朗讀。
(4)Loading heavy weights requires great skill. 裝重貨要求高技巧。
3)分詞短語。如:
(5)It’s a mixture consisting of oil and vinegar. 那是一種油和醋的混合物。(現(xiàn)在分詞短語)
(6)We ate sitting on the grass. 我們坐在草地上吃飯。(現(xiàn)在分詞短語)
(7)The book just referred to is translated into Chinese. 剛才談到的那本書已經(jīng)譯成中文。(過去分詞短語)
(8)Mocked at by everybody, he had my sympathy. 盡管人們都嘲弄他,我卻對他抱有同情。(過去分詞短語)
二、不定式
10.4不定式的形式和性質
不定式有兩種形式:一是帶to的不定式(to-infinitive),一是不帶to的不定式(bare infinitive)。后者即通常所謂的動詞原形。
不定式有時式和語態(tài)的變化:
主動語態(tài) 被動語態(tài)
一般式 to write to be written
現(xiàn)在式 to be writing
過去式 to have written to have been written
不定式既有動詞性質,又有名詞性質。
1)不定式的動詞性質表現(xiàn)在:可有時式和語態(tài)的變化,可有賓語和狀語并組成不定式短語。如:
(1)He was too clever a man to be bluffed. 他是個很靈的人,不會為虛張聲勢所嚇倒。(有語態(tài)的變化)
(2)The film star Ann Wilson is the 34th actress to play this part on the London stage. 影星安•威爾遜是倫敦舞臺上扮演這個角色的第34個女演員。(有賓語)
2)不定式的名詞性質表現(xiàn)在:在句中可用作主語、賓語等。如:
(3)To be content with little is true happiness. 知足長樂。(用作主語)
(4)The man, without fuss, agreed to serve as witness. 這個人沒有異議,同意作證人。(用作賓語)
10.5 不定式的功用
不定式在句中可用作主語、表語、賓語、定語、同位語、狀語和補語等。
1)用作主語。如:
(1)To see is to believe. 百聞不如一見。
(2)To err is human, to forgive , divine. 犯錯誤是人之常情,寬恕是超凡的。
當代英語常用it作為語法上的主語,即形式主語,將真實主語不定式放在謂語之后。如:
(3)It always pays to tell the truth. 說實話總是不吃虧的。
(4)It’s been a pleasure to be able to help you. 能夠幫助你是一種榮幸。
2)用作表語。如:
(5)The duties of a postman are to deliver letters and newspapers. 郵遞員的任務就是投遞信與報紙。
(6)My chief purpose has been to point out the difficulties of the matter. 我的主要意圖是指出這個問題的困難所在。
(7)The important thing is to save lives. 救人要緊。
3)用作賓語,其邏輯主語同時也是全句的主語。如:
(8)They demanded to be shown the authentic documents. 他們要求出示真實可靠的文件。
(9)Mr. Chairman, I beg to move that the meeting be adjourned. 主席先生,我提議休會。
[注]當復合賓語中的賓語是不定式時,則須將真實賓語不定式放在它的補語之后,而將形式賓語it放在賓語補語之前。如:
?、賁he found it difficult to answer the question. 她發(fā)現(xiàn)回答這個問題很困難。
?、贖e feels it his duty to help others. 他認為幫助別人是他的責任。
有不少形容詞(包括已變成形容詞的分詞)可后接不定式,這種不定式也可叫做賓語。如:
(10)I am very glad to see you. 我見到您很高興。
(11)We are sorry to leave. 我們真不愿離去。
(12)He is sure to come. 他一定會來的。
這樣的形容詞多是表示思想感情的。除上述形容詞外,還有able,afraid,anxious,careful,content,determined,eager,foolish,free,inclined,likely,lucky,prepared,quick,ready,slow,willing等。
上述句子中的不定式與句子主語皆是主謂關系。但有時不定式和主語卻是動賓關系。如:
(13)Volleyball is very interesting to watch. 打排球看起來很有意思。
(14)She’s very nice to talk to. 和她談話是愉快的。
(15)This problem is difficult to solve. 這個問題難解決。
4)用作定語,通常皆置于其所修飾的名詞或代詞之后。它與其所修飾的名詞或代詞可能是主謂關系。如:
(16)The next train to arrive was from New York. 下一列到站的火車是從紐約開來的。
(17)All dead. I was the only one to grow up. 都死了。我是惟一成活的。
(18)He was always the first to come and last to leave the office. 他總是第一個到辦公室,最后一個離開。(first與last之后省去person了)
也可能是動賓關系,這時不定式即通常所謂的反射不定式。如:
(19)It was a game to remember. 那是一場令人難忘的球賽。
(20)He has too many things to do. 他要做的事太多了。
(21)I have nothing to say on this question. 在這個問題上,我沒有什么話要說。
反射不定式也可以是“不定式+介詞”結構,這里的介詞一般不可省去。如:
(22)I need a pen to write with. 我需要一支筆寫字。
(23)Give me some paper to write on. 給我一些紙寫字。
(24)There are some things to be grateful for. 有一些事應該為之表示感激。
此外還有兩種抽象名詞常后接不定式,一種是與常后接不定式的動詞同源的名詞。如:
(25)His wish to visit China is quite understandable. 他訪問中國的愿望是完全可以理解的。(名詞wish與常后接不定式的動詞wish同源)
(26)Her decision to be a pianist is final. 她對要做一個鋼琴家已下了最后的決心。(decision與常后接不定式的動詞decide同源)
另一種是與常后接不定式的形容詞同源的名詞。如:
(27)He is reputed for his ability to speak four languages. 他以能講4國語言而聞名。(ability與常后接不定式的形容詞able同源)
(28)The child was all eagerness to go on the picnic. 這孩子對去野餐非常心切。(eagerness與常后接不定式的形容詞eager同源)
5)用作同位語。如:
(29)He gave the order to start the attack. 他發(fā)出了開始進攻的命令。(to start 與order同位)
(30)He followed the instruction to walk along a certain street where I picked him up. 他照吩咐沿某一條街走,我在那里搭他上車。
[注]請注意下面句子中用作同位語與定語的不定式的不尋常位置:
?、賂he enemy came close to the town and the order came to evacuate the people. 敵人離城近了,于是發(fā)出了疏散市民的命令。(to evacuate the people置于動詞came之后,這顯然是因為使句子平衡的原故)
?、贑hina’s first boxing training centre has been set up in Guangzhou aimed at bringing on an upsurge in this yet to be systemized event. 中國第一個拳擊訓練中心已在廣州成立,其目的是要在這尚無組織的運動項目上掀起一個熱潮。(yet to be systemized置于名詞event之前)
6)用作狀語,表目的、結果、原因等。
a)表目的,其邏輯主語通常亦是全句的主語。如:
(31)I stayed there to see what would happen. 我留在那里看看會發(fā)生什么事。
(32)He will go to clinic tomorrow to be examined by the doctor. 他明天去診所讓大夫檢查。
(33)Here, visitors were halted to have papers examined. 來人在這里留步以檢查證件。
在強調這種目的狀語時,不定式前可加in order或so as。如:
(34)Many farmers fertilize their crops in order to make them grow more quickly. 許多農(nóng)民給莊稼施肥,為的是讓莊稼長得更快些。
(35)I’ll writs down his telephone number so as not to forget it. 我要把他的電話號碼寫下來,以備不忘。
在強調或突出這種目的狀語時,也可將不定式或in order加不定式置于句首(so as較少置于句首)。如:
(36)In order to make a study of the kangaroo, he came to Australia. 為了研究袋鼠,他來到了澳洲。
(37)To conceal my emotion, I buried my face in my hands. 為了掩蓋我的激動情緒,我用手捂著臉。
b)表結果,其邏輯主語通常亦是全句的主語。如:
(38)He lived to be a very old man. 他活得很長。
(39)In 1935 he left home never to return. 1935年,他離開家再也沒有回來。
(40)What have I done to offend you? 我干什么惹你生氣了?
請注意下列句子中的so…as to…,such…as to…,enough to…,only to…以及too…to等結構中的不定式皆表結果:
(41)The house is so high and narrow as to resemble a tower. 這房子又高又狹,像一座塔。
(42)His indifference is such as to make one despair. 他如此冷淡,令人感到絕望。
(43)He lifted a rock only to drop it on his own feet. 他搬起石頭砸了自己的腳。
(44)He has money enough to spare.他有多余的錢 (來自He has money to spare,亦常說We have enough (plenty) to spare.)
(45)The tea it too hot to drink. 茶太熱,不能喝。
[注]有時too…to..結構并不意謂“太…而不能…”。如:
①I’m only too glad to stay at home. 我太想留在家里啦。(too 修飾glad to stay at home)
?、贗’m just too anxious to help you. 我正是想幫助你哩。(too 修飾anxious to help you)
③You are too ready to find faults in other people. 你就愛找別人的岔兒。(too 修飾ready to find …people)
下面句子中的不定式則是定語:
?、躀 had too much to drink. 我喝多了。
⑤You have too much to say. 你真多嘴。
c)表原因,其邏輯主語通常亦是全句的主語。如:
(46)I trembled to think of it. 我一想到那件事就不寒而粟。(亦可看作時間狀語)
(47)She wept to see him in such a terrible state. 她看到他這種可怕的樣子就哭了。(亦可看作時間狀語)
(48)Mary, hang the idiot to bring me such stuff! 瑪麗,這該死的蠢貨,竟給我?guī)砹诉@些貨色。
d)偶爾表讓步或條件。如:
(49)You couldn’t do that to save your life. 你即使為了救自己的命也不能那樣做。(表讓步)
(50)To look at him you could hardly help laughing. 看到他就會忍不住笑起來。(表條件)
7)用作獨立成分(亦可看作一種句子狀語)。如:
(51)To begin with, I do not like its colour. 首先,我不喜歡它的顏色。
(52)To tell the truth, the film was a great disappointment to me. 說實在的,那影片使我大為失望。
(53)To make a long story short, we agreed to disagree. 長話短說,我們同意各自保留不同的看法。
(54)How time flies, to be sure! 時光真是過得快啊!
(55)The dog is, so to speak, a member of the family. 那狗可以說是家庭的一員了。
除上述例句中用作獨立成分的不一定式短語外,還有to be brief(簡言之)、to be exact(精確地說)、to be frank with you(老實對你說吧)、to do him justice(說句對他公道的話)、to crown all[更為好(壞)的是]、to say nothing of(姑且不講)、to conclude(總而言之)等。
8)用作賓語補語在下列句子中,賓語與用作賓語補語的不定式構成復合賓語,二者在邏輯上是主謂關系。如:
(56)What decided him to give up his job? 是什么決定他放棄工作的?(to give up是賓語him的補語)
(57)I’ll leave you be attend the matter. 我將托你照管此事。(be attend是賓語you的補語)
(58)We would like you to have an opportunity to appreciate Chinese art. 我們想給你們一個欣賞中國藝術的機會。(to have是賓語you的補語)
有些動詞后面的賓語補語常是to be,這樣的動詞有believe,consider,declare,find,imagine,know,prove,suppose,feel,think,understand等。如:
(59)I know this to be a fact. 我知道這是事實。
(60)They all felt the plan to be unwise. 他們都覺得那個計劃是不明智的。
(61)We believe her to be innocent. 我們相信他無罪。
[注] 賓語補語to be在believe,consider,declare,find,prove,think,imagine等之后常可省去,如上述兩句即可變?yōu)椋?/p>
?、賅e believe her innocent.
②I consider him too lazy.
在上述動詞的被動結構中,后面的to be亦可省去。如:
③She was believed innocent.
?、蹾e was considered too lazy.
有一些動詞后用作賓語補語的不定式通常不帶to。這種動詞有兩類:一類是感覺動詞(perceptional verb),如feel,see,hear,watch,notice等。如:
(62)I saw him come. 我看見他來了。
(63)I heard him sing. 我聽見他唱歌了。
(64)We felt the house shake. 我們感到房子搖動。
另一類是某些使役動詞(causative verb),如make,let,have等。如:
(65)Let him do it. 讓他做吧。
(66)I would have you know that I am ill. 我想要你知道我病了。
(67)They made the boy go to bed early. 他們強迫那男孩早睡。
[注]上述感覺動詞與使役動詞轉換為被動結構時,其后的不定式一般須帶to。如:
①He was seen to come.
?、赥he boy was made to go to bed early.
在動詞find與help之后,不定式可帶to亦可不帶to。如:
(68)He was surprised to find the sheep (to) break fence at this season. 他發(fā)現(xiàn)羊在此季節(jié)越出羊欄,感到驚訝。
(69)Help me (to) get him to bed. 幫我把他弄上床睡覺。
在動詞know后用作賓語補語的不定式有時也可不帶to。如:
(70)I never knew anything make such a difference! 我從不知道有什么事會產(chǎn)生如此大的影響!
(71)I have never known a man die of love, but I have known a disappointed lover lose weight. 我從不知有人死于愛情,但我知道有失戀者消瘦下去。
9)用作主語補語。在下列句中,主語與用作主語補語的不定式短語構成復合主語,二者在邏輯上是主謂關系。如:
(72)The room was found to be empty. 那個房間被發(fā)現(xiàn)是空的。(to be是主語補語)
(73)The young man was considered to have great promise. 這個青年被認為大有前途。(to have是主語補語)
(74)He is said to be from New Zealand. 據(jù)說他是新西蘭人。(to be是主語補語)
10)有時可引導獨立句,表愿望、驚訝等情緒。如:
(75)Oh, to be in English now that April’s there! 啊,能回到現(xiàn)已是4月的英國該多好啊!
(76)You people! To think we have to support your kind with taxes. 你們這些人!想想看,我們竟然必須納稅養(yǎng)活你們這一幫人。
(77)And to imagine for a moment he’d ever come here to visit! 想一想看,他竟會有一天到這里訪問!