英语的谓语动词有两种语态:主动语态和被动语态。前者表示句子的主语为动作的发出者,后者表示句子的主语为动作的承受者。请比较:
Tom broke the window. (主动语态)
① ② ③
The window was broken by Tom. (被动语态)
③ ② ①
从以上对比可以看出,主动句中的主语Tom在被动句中变成了短语by Tom,主动句中的宾语the window变成了被动句中的主语。由于被动句中的主语即主动句中的宾语,因此,只有及物动词才有被动语态。
16.1 被动语态的构成
被动语态的基本构成是:be + 过去分词。与主动语态一样,被动语态也有各种时态形式,列表如下(以动词ask为例):
时 间 一 般 进 行 完 成
现 在 am/is/are asked
被问 am/is/are being asked
正在被问 have/has been asked
已经被问过
过 去 was/were asked
(过去)被问 was/were being asked
(过去)正被问 had been asked
(过去)已被问过
将 来 shall/will be asked
将要被问 1.被动语态的各种时态均由助动词be的变化构成。
2.被动语态的否定式和疑问式均由助动词或第一个助动词构成。
过去将来 should/would be asked
(过去)将要被问
16.2 常见的被动结构
下面,我们采用对比的方式来介绍常见的被动结构,即使用被动语态的句子。
16.2.1 SVO句型的被动结构
SVO句型中的谓语为单宾及物动词,其被动结构是:S + V(被动式) (+ by短语)。
例如:He wrote the book two years ago. → The book was written by him two years ago.
这本书是他在两年前写的。
They are cleaning the house. → The house is being cleaned (by them). 房子正在被(他们)打扫。
You're wanted on the phone. 有你的电话。
16.2.2 SVoO句型的被动结构
16.2.3 SVoO句型中的谓语动词为双宾及物动词,其被动结构是:S + V(被动式) + O/o(保留宾语) (+ by短语)。
需要说明的是,一般把间接宾语(表示人)作为被动句的主语,而把直接宾语(表示物)作为保留宾语。如果把直接宾语作为被动句的主语,则间接宾语作为保留宾语,它的前面通常要用介词to或for(视动词而定)。例如:
My aunt gave me an apple. → *I was given an apple. / An apple was given to me.
*有人给了我一只苹果。[被动句中省略了by my aunt。]
His mother bought him a new coat. → *He was bought a new coat. / A new coat was bought for him.
*有人给他买了一件新大衣。[被动句中省略了by his mother。]
16.2.3 SVOC句型的被动结构
SVOC句型中的谓语动词为复宾及物动词,其被动结构是:S + V(被动式) + C(主语补足语) (+ by短语)[1]。例如:
People usually call me Jim for short. → I am usually called Jim for short. 我常常被人直呼吉姆。
They asked Mike to write soon. → Mike was asked to write soon. 迈克被要求尽快写信。
He made the baby laugh. → The baby was made to laugh (by him). 那个婴儿被(他)逗笑了。
[请比较前后两句中的划线单词,被动句中需要加上to。]
在被动句中作主语补足语的不定式一律要带to,不论其作宾语补足语时是否带to(请见以上各例句)。
16.2.4 短语动词的被动结构
短语动词的被动结构是:S + V(被动式) + 介词/副词 (+ by短语)。例如:
We have sent for a doctor. → A doctor has been sent for. 已经派人去请医生了。
I turned off the radio just now. → The radio was turned off just now. 收音机刚才(被)关掉了。
They are taking good care of the children. → The children are being taken good care of.
孩子们正在受到良好的照顾。
在将含有短语动词的主动句转换成被动句时,原短语动词中的介词或副词(如以上句中的for, off, of)不能遗漏。
16.2.5 带情态动词的被动结构
带情态动词的被动结构是:S + V(情态动词+主要动词的被动式) (+ by短语)。例如:
You must do it at once. → It must be done at once. 这件事必须立即做。
We can see the park from the window. → The park can be seen from the window.
公园可以从窗户那里看到。
16.3 如何判断使用被动语态?
在我们做题过程中,如何判断使用被动语态?以下四条可供参考:
⑴ 句中含有by sb时,例如:The windows __________ (break) by those boys.
本句中含有by those boys,因此可以判断使用被动语态。答案是:were broken。
⑵ 句中含有with sth时,例如:The ground __________ (cover) with thick snow.
本句中含有with thick snow,因此可以判断使用被动语态。答案是:is covered。
⑶ 主语后的及物动词缺少宾语时,例如:I __________ (tell) to come at once.
我们知道,tell的句型是tell sb to do sth。但是本句中tell的后面缺少宾语,说明主语I是动词tell的动作对象,因此tell要用被动语态。答案是:was told。
⑷ 主语和谓语动词在逻辑上有动宾关系时,例如:English __________ (teach) in middle schools.
本句中既没有by sb,也没有with sth,这时,就要分析句子的主语和谓语动词之间是否存在逻辑上的动宾关系。English不可能发出teach的动作,只能是teach动作的对象,它们之间存在着动宾关系,因此,tell要用被动语态。答案是:is taught。
以上四条中,前三条比较直观,而最后一条最为可靠。
被动语态在JEFC教材中直到第三册Unit 16-Unit 18(Lesson 61-Lesson 72)中才作为语法项目进行专 门训练,并经过整整三个单元共12课才能完成这一知识点的教学,可见被动语态的难度。
以上三个单元12课出现的有关被动语态的语言知识可归结如下:
1.从时态上说,出现了一般现在时和一般过去时中的被动语态,如:
It's used for cutting. It's was made in China.
2.从句式上说,出现了陈述句、一般疑问句、特殊疑问句中的被动语态,如:
English is spoken by many people. Were they built in 1860?
What's it made of? When was it founded? Where's tea grown?
3.例句中出现的动词(或词组)有:
to be dug/founded /grown /harvested /kept /knocked /looked after/made [of]
/picked/p lanted /produced /pusheddown/spoken/tied to/used [for]/watered
4.依据教材内容句子结构可以达到这样的复杂程度:It will beused as a tool by people in
the wo rld in some days. 格式是:主语+情态动词+加be动词+过去分词+as/for 表示功
用+动作执行者+方位 状语+时间状语。这一格式中某些成分可以省略或移位。
怎样学习被动语态 英语动词被动语态在语法书上都有详略不同的交代,但大都着重它的构成形式,例证则往往不够。这种语态似乎在英语句子中比在汉语句子中更多出现,这点是我国初学者所经常忽略的。在某些句子中,英语总是用被动语态、而汉语则绝不能用,如:
Shakespeare was born in 1564./Moliere was born in Paris.
初学英语的人接触到这样被动语态的句子恐不免感到奇怪,因为我们在汉语中惯于说"生于某某年"或"某某年生","生于
巴黎"或"在巴黎出生",从来不说一个人"被生出"。
在另一些句子中,英语可用主动及被动两种语态,汉语则倾向于用主动,如:
Everybody likes him./He is liked by everybody.
汉语"人人喜欢他"看来比"他被人人喜欢"更现成和自然。有人以为这有一个强调的问题,用作主语的词是加以强调的。即
令如此,按照英语结构写成的"他被大家喜欢"这样的句子,总是别扭。
下面就十个类别,举出一些句子,说明英语某些动词用于某一意义或在某一场合中常作被动语态。类别当然不能只是十个,这儿仅举常见的。每个类别下也只举五个句子,句子中的动词彼此不一样。为方便起见,句子首先采用大家熟知的 The Advanced
Learner's Dictionary of Current English(ALD),其次是 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English(LDCE),必要时从其他英美书刊补充少数句子,但不注明出处。
1.关于生病
The left lung is affected. _____ALD
He is confined to the house by illness. ____ ALD
He was seized with sudden chest pains. ____LDCE
He's been troubled with a bad back since he was a child. ____LDCE
John was Invalided out of the army.
上面这些句子中被动语态在英语中很习惯化,如将动词改为主动语态,有不同程度的不顺。用汉语表达这些句子中的同样的概
念,就可以不一定用被动语态。
2.关于疲倦困乏
He was doneup afterthe long ride. ALD
He was knocked uP after the longsteen climb. _____ ALD
He was almost fagged out. ______ ALD
I'm completely exhausted.____LDCE
I was spent with the fatigue of the voyage.
汉语说"累了"、"累垮了"极普通。如说由于某种原因而"累了"、"累垮了",至少在结构上不用被动语态。这和第一类的例子是一致的。
3.关于喜悦、高兴
I was delighted to hear the news of your success._____ALD
We're very pleased to see you here._____ALD
On hearing of the victory,the nation was transported with joy._____ALD
She was enchanted with the flowers you sent her. _____ALD
The children were fascinated by the toys in the shopwindows._____ ALD
汉语如说"被高兴",将不成文理,说"使......高兴"或"为......高兴",那也不能照英语被动语态去处理。事实上这头一句
话照汉语是"我高兴地听到......"这虽带点欧化,但目前也通行了。最常见的恐怕还是"听到......我高兴"。无论如何。汉语说"高兴",不能如英语那样用被动语态。
4.关于阻塞、拖延:
We're been held up by fog. _____ ALD
The mountain roads were obstructed by falls of rock._____ALD
The train was delayed two hours. _____ALD
I was hindered from getting here.____ALD
The harbour was blocked by ice._____ALD
这第二句ALD英汉双解本译成"山路被落下石头所阻塞"。严格地说这句译文似乎欠流畅,尤其不能用于口语。当然,凡是阻力,总是外来的阻力,施于受事的主语,主语处于被动地位,但汉语不能采取英语的被动语态形式而完全不加变动。
5、关于习惯
He is quite used to hard work.____ALD
This is not the kind of treatment I am accustomed to. _____ALD
He is addicted to smoking. _____ALD
The old soldier was inured to danger. ____LDCE
He is given to long walks. _____LDCE
英语中有些动词,由于常用于被动语态,词典中对它们的分词(participle)形式另立专条著录,成为独立的词,其功能相当于形容词。以上例句中的动词就是典型的例子。例如,词典一般既有use这一专条(不定式动词),又有 used;既有 accustom,又有 accustomed;既有give,又有given。但如inure及addict,在 ALD上只注明"常用于被动"(usu.passive),尚未另立inured和 addicted专条,其他词典也大体是这样,虽然addicted还可以作为形容词,看成是独立的词条。然而不管这些词是否带有形容词的性质,在上面的句子中却具有被动语态的作用。
6.关于苦恼、心烦意乱
He was annoyed to learn that the train would be delayed.____ALD
She is easily upset emotionally.____ALD
He was vexed at his failure. ____ ALD
He was disturbed to hear of your illness.______ALD
I felt harassed by all the work of the office._____LDCE
苦恼等情绪当然是引起的,因此英语中的被动语态似乎说明了是由于什么引起的,但要注意第一句She is easily upset emotionally.不必指出原因。
7.关于惊讶或震惊
I was astonished to see him there. ____ALD
I'm surprised he didn't come._____ALD
He was shocked to hear his daughter swearing. _____ALD
He was startled to see him looking so ill._____ALD
He was astounded when he heard he had won._____ALD
一个正常的人无故不会大惊小怪。但是我们说"吃惊"、"大吃一惊"或"使......吃惊"和"使......大吃一惊"等也就够了,不同于英语的被动表现形式。
8.关于围绕、包围
His land is fenced with barbed wire.____ALD
Troy was besieged by the Greeks for ten years._____ALD
The troops were surrounded._____ALD
The cliffedge is dangerous and should be railed._____LDCE
Japan is compassed about by the ocean.____LDCE
对于以上第二句,第三句及第五句,汉语是可以用"被包围"这类说法的,但对第一句的"is fenced with,"如说"有篱笆围住"就行了,不一定要说"被用篱笆围住"。至于第四句中"should be railed",英语的被动语态在汉语中也难以表达。我们通常说:应该用栏杆围起来",或"应该把它用栏杆围起来",而不是"应该被用栏杆围起来"。
9.关于玷污、污染
His reputation is tarnished._____ALD My car was mired. ____ ALD
The river was contaminated with water from the factory. ____ LDCE
Your fingers are stained with ink. That cheese is mildewed.
和第三句的contaminated意义近似的动词如pollute及 defile等,也常用于被动语态。我们说,"出污泥而不染",不是"......而不被染"。
10.关于惶惑、慌乱
I was confounded to hear that. ____ALD
They sked so many questions that I got confused. _____ALD
Tom was bewildered by the examination questions.____ALD
He was puzzled what to do next. ____ ALD
The Cabinet Ministers are perplexed as to what to do.
以上可和第六和第七两类联系起来看。
综观以上的例子,我们觉得中国学生学英语不只是要记住动词被动语态的形式,尤其要留心,在什么情况下,英语一定比汉语更常用被动语态;要留心哪些动词是这样用的,哪些动词虽有各种不同用法,但专指某一特殊意义时一定用被动形式。有些特殊被动语态,几乎习语化了,也是不可忽视的,如下面两个句子:
My hints were lost upon him.___ ALD
My advice was thrown away upon him.___ALD
下面这类以it开头的被动语态,初学者不会使用的大有人在,以致语言死板,并违反英语习惯。
It is observed that... It may be observed that...
It will be observed that... It remains to be observed that...
如此等等。他们只知说We may observe that...之类,因为这与汉语结构接近。
短语动词的被动语态
英语中的被动语态由助动词be加及物动词的过去分词构成。有些短语动词在意义上相当于及物动词,因此也可构成被动语态。
短语动词被看成一个整体,是固定词组,所以构成被动语态时不可分开。其被动语态构成方法与普通的及物动词的被动语态的构
成方法相同。如:
1.动词+介词
He will be operated on by the best surgeon. 他将由最好的外科医生给他动手术。
This matter has been carefully looked into. 此事已得到仔细调查。
He is often laughed at by his classmates. 他经常被同学嘲笑。
2.动词 + 副词
These problems have been seriously thought over. 这些问题已得到认真考虑。
The lights are turned off at 11 pm every day. 每天晚上11点钟关灯。
The fire was soon put out. 那场大火很快被扑灭。
3.动词+副词+介词
These privileges should be done away with. 此类特权应该被取消。
Women were looked down upon in the past. 妇女过去受到歧视。
The lost time must be made up for. 失去的时间必须补回来。
4.动词+名词+介词
The children have been taken good care of. 这些孩子得到了很好的照料。
What they did have been paid great attention to. 他们所做的一切已得到极大的关注。
Time is precious and should be made full use of. 时间宝贵,应该充分利用。