尹繼友
大家都知道,過去分詞既可以出現(xiàn)在系表結(jié)構(gòu)里,又可以出現(xiàn)在被動語態(tài)里。因此,我們可以把這種情況稱為靜動句的混合體。靜句是用來描寫事物的性質(zhì)或狀態(tài)的;動句用來描寫動作及其過程。由于這兩種結(jié)構(gòu)在形式上是一樣的,都由be+ed分詞構(gòu)成,這樣就給區(qū)分系表結(jié)構(gòu)和被動語態(tài)帶來了麻煩。其實(shí),我們可以從以下幾個方面來分辨它們。
從動詞的性質(zhì)來區(qū)分
英語中的不及物動詞不用于被動語態(tài)。但是,不及物動詞的過去分詞可以和動詞be連用構(gòu)成系表結(jié)構(gòu)。在這個結(jié)構(gòu)中,過去分詞只表示動作已經(jīng)完成,強(qiáng)調(diào)事物的狀態(tài)。常見的這種形式的不及物動詞有:gone,come,arrived,fallen,retired,startled,vexed,mistaken等。這些不及物動詞都具有描述性質(zhì)。例如:
Her fever is gone,but she still feels weak.
I shall be vexed if you keep mentioning it.
The interviewer was quite mistaken about the incidents which happened in the campus.
注意 如果構(gòu)成分詞的動詞是一個持續(xù)性動詞,不表示終極界限,也不表示動作結(jié)果,而是強(qiáng)調(diào)動作的持續(xù)性,在這種情況下謂語大多數(shù)是被動語態(tài)。例如:
All the books were carried to the library.
Several students were honoured for their excellent performance in the English contest.
從句子表達(dá)的內(nèi)容來區(qū)分
被動語態(tài)表示動作,句子的主語是動作的承受者;系表結(jié)構(gòu)中的過去分詞已經(jīng)基本上失去了動詞的性質(zhì),只起到一個形容詞的作用,在句子中作表語,說明主語的性質(zhì),或所具有的特征或所處的狀態(tài)。例如:
The houses were beautifully decorated. (系表結(jié)構(gòu))
The houses were decorated and rented to those who were badly in need of shelters. (被動語態(tài))
The book is not illustrated. (系表結(jié)構(gòu))
The book was illustrated by a famous artist. (被動語態(tài))
從-ed分詞后所跟的介詞來區(qū)別
作形容詞用的-ed分詞在個別情況下,可以跟隨除by-phrase以外的其他介詞,如about,at,in,on,with,over,to等。例如:
Im interested in my own hobbies,such as collecting stamps,raising birds and fishing. (系表結(jié)構(gòu))
I was interested by what you showed me. (被動語態(tài))
The people present at the meeting were annoyed with the tedious speech. (系表結(jié)構(gòu))
The people who wanted to attend the meeting were surprised by the announcement of the adjournment without day. (被動語態(tài))
從修飾詞來區(qū)分
1. 在英語表達(dá)中,過去分詞具有形容詞性質(zhì),因此可用程度副詞more,quite,rather,very等修飾。凡是能用這類副詞修飾的過去分詞多為系表結(jié)構(gòu)。例如: Her look was quite amused.
After working the whole morning,we were very tired.
2. 如果-ed分詞的結(jié)構(gòu)中由時間狀語、地點(diǎn)狀語、原因狀語或方式狀語來修飾整個句子,表示動作的持續(xù)性,反復(fù)性,這時這個句子就是被動語態(tài)。例如:
The dam is completed. (系表結(jié)構(gòu))
The dam had been completed within two months. (被動語態(tài))
He was wounded. (系表結(jié)構(gòu))
He was wounded in the battle. (被動語態(tài))
通過時態(tài)來區(qū)分
系表結(jié)構(gòu)中的動詞be為系動詞,多用于一般現(xiàn)在時和一般過去時。偶爾在系表結(jié)構(gòu)中也可見到一般將來時和現(xiàn)在完成時。而在被動語態(tài)結(jié)構(gòu)中的動詞be是助動詞。除了很少用于完成進(jìn)行時和將來完成時之外,可以用各種時態(tài)。
I shall be much obliged to you for an early reply. (系表結(jié)構(gòu))
The house is being built by the river. (被動語態(tài))
另外從時態(tài)方面考慮,區(qū)分被動語態(tài)和系表結(jié)構(gòu)時,可用“還原”的方法。看能否將“be+過去分詞”形式還原為對應(yīng)的主動語態(tài)。如果是被動語態(tài),它的時態(tài)要與相應(yīng)的主動結(jié)構(gòu)一致。如果是系表結(jié)構(gòu),一般沒有對應(yīng)時態(tài)的主動結(jié)構(gòu)。例如:
My window is broken. (這個句子是系表結(jié)構(gòu),此句沒有對應(yīng)時態(tài)的主動句。不能還原為Someone breaks the window.)
A lot of new cars have been made since the technical innovations have been adopted. (此句是被動語態(tài)??梢詫⑦@個句子還原為We have made a lot of cars since we adopted the technical innovations.)
從動詞be能否被替代來區(qū)分
被動語態(tài)一般由助動詞be+ed分詞構(gòu)成。系表結(jié)構(gòu)除了與be連用之外,還可以用其他動詞替換。能被替換的詞有:become,get,turn,sound,rest,lie,look,keep,remain,seem,appear等。例如:
You may rest assured that everything possible will be done.
He appeared perplexed at the thought of the future.
以上幾個例句中的rest,appear替換了be,我們可以認(rèn)定該句是系表結(jié)構(gòu),如不能替換就是被動語態(tài)。
這里我們強(qiáng)調(diào)一下get的用法。get+ed分詞既可作系表結(jié)構(gòu),還可以作被動語態(tài)。究竟屬于哪種結(jié)構(gòu),主要是看說話人強(qiáng)調(diào)的重點(diǎn)。如果強(qiáng)調(diào)動作它就是被動語態(tài);如果強(qiáng)調(diào)狀態(tài),此句就是系表結(jié)構(gòu)。例如:
The house will get white-washed next week. (此句強(qiáng)調(diào)動作,因此我們可以認(rèn)定此句是被動語態(tài)。)
[練習(xí)]
1. As we all know, their factory . (locate)
眾所周知,他們工廠坐落在山腳下。
2. We started a project . (aim)
我們開始了一項(xiàng)旨在改善生活條件的工程。
3. We are curious to know whether the official . (involve)
我們好奇這位官員是否涉及此案。
4. Some parents complain that their children . (burden)
有些家長抱怨他們的孩子課業(yè)負(fù)擔(dān)過重。
[參考答案]
1. is located in the foot of the mountain
2. aimed at improving/better living conditions
3. involved in this case
4. are burdened with heavy homework