被动句中的动词形态
信箱里有一张装修商的传单,上面有这句话:
Exchange this
leaflet for a free gift and also be entitle to a lucky draw with no purchase required.
这句话清楚吗?很清楚!问题是第二个并列分句的
被动语态的动词形态"entitle"不对。为什么不对呢?这就要从主动语态(the active voice)和被动语态(the passive voice)的差别谈起。
在主动语态里,主语是动作的主角,如:
① I have just bought a new dictionary.
② They will invite you to dinner.
在
被动语态里,宾语成为主角,原来的主语则靠边站,移至句后,如:
③ A new dictionary has just been bought by me.
④ You will be invited to dinner by them.
在
被动语态的结构里,最重要的成分是接系动词"be"+主动词的过去分词(be+past participle of the principal verb)。③里的"has been bought"和④里的"will be invited"便是这个成分。根据这原则,"be entitle"就要改为"be entitled"才行。
现在多看看几个例子:
⑤ One must do the work properly.→The work must be properly done.
⑥ Someone took down the pictures.→The pictures were taken down.
⑦ Anne gave John a photo.→John was given a photo by Anne.
在⑤和⑥里,原来的主语不重要,所以在被动句中被省略了。在 ⑦里,我们看到两个宾语,一个是直接宾语(direct object)"a photo",另一个是
间接宾语(indirect object)"John"。直接宾语一定是"事物";
间接宾语就是"人物"。
这样的主动语态,有两种变法。除了"John was given a photo by Anne"之外,另一个方法是"A photo was given to John by Anne."
在日常英语用途上,直接语态比间接语态用得多。但在下列情况中,则应采用
被动语态:
㈠主语不详,如:
① A puppy was knocked down.
② Actions must be taken to improve the economic situation.
㈡突出宾语,如:
③ The
gangster was sent to prison.
④ Two eye witnesses have been questioned.
⑤ All good students will be rewarded.
㈢不方便提到主语,如:
⑥ Some students are said to be often late for class.
⑦ The name of the suspect has been submitted to the police.
㈣动词习惯以被动式出现,如:
⑧ You are expected to work hard from now on.
⑨ The last train is scheduled to leave at 10p.m.
⑩ All loyal citizens are supposed to defend their country.
①-⑩这些被动句中的原有主语通常被省略,不出现。
关键字:
英语讲义生词表: