謝奎金
不定式仍具有動(dòng)詞特性,有語(yǔ)態(tài)形式,分主動(dòng)和被動(dòng)兩種,是動(dòng)詞語(yǔ)態(tài)考查的最高境界。究竟該選用何種形式一直困擾著廣大考生。不定式語(yǔ)態(tài)的選擇最終取決于不定式與修飾(作用)對(duì)象之間的關(guān)系以及不定式動(dòng)作的實(shí)際執(zhí)行者,二者缺一不可?,F(xiàn)探討如下:
一、分析不定式與修飾(作用)對(duì)象之間的關(guān)系
不定式與某一對(duì)象存在不同關(guān)系,依據(jù)關(guān)系選擇不定式語(yǔ)態(tài)是解決問(wèn)題的突破口。包括:
動(dòng)賓關(guān)系
某一名詞是不定式作用對(duì)象,做不定式的邏輯賓語(yǔ),二者構(gòu)成動(dòng)賓關(guān)系,但不定式語(yǔ)態(tài)的選擇還必須參考不定式動(dòng)作實(shí)際執(zhí)行者。若不定式為不及物動(dòng)詞,所修飾的名詞如果是地點(diǎn)、工具等,須加介詞。介詞的選用取決于功用和意義需要。
【例1】Tom asked the candy makers if they could make the chocolate easier____into small pieces.
A. break
B.breaking
C.broken
D.to break
分析:D。不定式to break與賓語(yǔ)the chocolate之間存在動(dòng)賓關(guān)系。為便于理解,the chocolate easier to break into small pieces可解釋為the chocolate which Tom can break more easily into small pieces,the chocolate是break的賓語(yǔ),構(gòu)成動(dòng)賓關(guān)系,但Tom是其邏輯主語(yǔ),與break構(gòu)成主動(dòng)關(guān)系。
主謂關(guān)系
被修飾的名詞或代詞實(shí)際上是不定式的邏輯主語(yǔ),是不定式動(dòng)作的執(zhí)行者,二者構(gòu)成主謂關(guān)系,動(dòng)詞不定式選擇主動(dòng)形式。
【例2】—The last one____pays the meal.
—Agreed!
A. arrived
B.arrives
C.to arrive
D.arriving
分析:C。不定式to arrive與主語(yǔ)the last one之間為主謂關(guān)系。為便于理解,“the last one to arrive”可解釋為“the last one who arrives”,the last one是arrive的主語(yǔ),構(gòu)成主謂關(guān)系。不定式邏輯主語(yǔ)同時(shí)也是句子主語(yǔ),是不定式動(dòng)作實(shí)際執(zhí)行者。
同位關(guān)系
不定式與所修飾的名詞指的是同一事物,說(shuō)明或解釋所修飾名詞的具體內(nèi)容,動(dòng)詞不定式選擇主動(dòng)形式。
【例3】Volunteering gives you a chance____lives, including your own.
A. change
B.changing
C.changed
D.to change
分析:D。不定式to change lives與修飾語(yǔ)a chance之間為同位關(guān)系。為便于理解,a chance to change lives可解釋為a chance that you can change lives.不定式to change lives對(duì)修飾語(yǔ)a chance解釋說(shuō)明,二者構(gòu)成同位關(guān)系。類(lèi)似地,the attempt/ability to do均是此種用法。
動(dòng)狀關(guān)系
被修飾的名詞way/time/place實(shí)際上表示動(dòng)詞不定式動(dòng)作的方式、時(shí)間、地點(diǎn)等,動(dòng)詞不定式與這些名詞通過(guò)介詞才能發(fā)生意義關(guān)聯(lián),不定式選擇主動(dòng)形式。若動(dòng)詞不及物,介詞可以省略。
【例4】This is the only way we can imagine____ the overuse of water in students' bathrooms.
A. reducing
B.to reduce
C.reduced
D.reduce
分析:B。不定式to reduce與the only way沒(méi)有語(yǔ)義聯(lián)系,需加上介詞in,即構(gòu)成in the way搭配,做方式狀語(yǔ)。為便于理解,the only way to reduce the overuse ofwater可解釋為the only way in which we can reduce the overuse of water或in the way we can reduce the overuse of water。 顯然,修飾語(yǔ)the only way做動(dòng)詞reduce的狀語(yǔ),二者構(gòu)成動(dòng)狀關(guān)系。
二、判斷不定式動(dòng)作實(shí)際執(zhí)行者
正如前文所述,不定式與某一對(duì)象存在主謂、同位、動(dòng)狀關(guān)系時(shí),不定式選擇主動(dòng)形式;與某一對(duì)象存在動(dòng)賓關(guān)系時(shí)不定式語(yǔ)態(tài)的選擇取決于不定式動(dòng)作的實(shí)際執(zhí)行者。因此,判斷不定式動(dòng)作的實(shí)際執(zhí)行者是解決問(wèn)題的核心。包括以下情況:
1.執(zhí)行者在句中
不定式與作用或修飾對(duì)象構(gòu)成動(dòng)賓關(guān)系,但不定式動(dòng)作實(shí)際執(zhí)行主體在句中可以找到,且與不定式構(gòu)成主謂關(guān)系,不定式選擇主動(dòng)形式,反之則選擇被動(dòng)形式。不定式的邏輯主語(yǔ)可以分以下幾種情況:
(1)句子的主語(yǔ)是不定式的邏輯主語(yǔ)
【例5】l have a lot of readings____before the end of this term.
A. completing B.to complete C.completed
D.being completed
分析:B。不定式to complete雖與被修飾名詞a lot of readings構(gòu)成動(dòng)賓關(guān)系,但其實(shí)施者依然是句子主語(yǔ)I,可理解為I will complete a lot of readings,故選用主動(dòng)語(yǔ)態(tài)。再如:
With a lot of difficult problems to settle, the newly-elected president is having a hard time.(可解釋為the newly-elected president will settle a lot of difficult problems)
(2)句子的賓語(yǔ)是不定式的邏輯主語(yǔ)
【例6】Let those in need____that we will go all out to help them.
A. to understand B.understand
C.understanding
D.understood
分析:B。動(dòng)詞不定式(to)understand和作用對(duì)象從句(that we will go all out to help them)存在動(dòng)賓關(guān)系,不定式動(dòng)作的執(zhí)行者不是句子主語(yǔ)we(被省略)而是賓語(yǔ)those。可理解為those in need will understand that we will go aU out to help them,故選用主動(dòng)語(yǔ)態(tài)。再如:My advisor encouraged me to take a summer course to improve my writing skills.(可解釋為I will take a summer course to improve my writing skills)
(3)不定式的邏輯主語(yǔ)由介詞for(with)引出。分如下兩種情況:
①在“主語(yǔ)+系動(dòng)詞+形容詞+to do”結(jié)構(gòu)中
【例7】It's important for the figures___regularly,
A. to be updated
B.to have been updated C.to update D.to have updated
分析:A。不定式to update的邏輯主語(yǔ)the figures由介詞for引出,是不定式to update動(dòng)作的承受者,存在動(dòng)賓關(guān)系,可這樣理解the figures are to be updated,故選擇被動(dòng)式。試比較:It's important (for people) to update the figures regularly.(可解釋為people will update the figures regularly)
②在“動(dòng)詞+賓語(yǔ)+形容詞(補(bǔ)語(yǔ))+to do”結(jié)構(gòu)中
【例8】Nowadays people sometimes separate their waste to make it easier for it____.
A. reusing
B.reused
C.reuses
D.to be reused
分析:D。不定式to reuse與其作用對(duì)象waste存在動(dòng)賓關(guān)系,但不定式的邏輯主語(yǔ)通過(guò)介詞for引出,不定式邏輯主語(yǔ)不再是句子主語(yǔ)people而是waste。垃圾和回收利用存在被動(dòng)關(guān)系,故選擇被動(dòng)式。試比較:Nowadays people sometimes separate their waste to make it easier (for people) to reuse.
2.執(zhí)行者在句外
為便于弄清楚不定式動(dòng)作實(shí)際執(zhí)行者,可以加介詞by/for引出主語(yǔ)或改換成對(duì)應(yīng)句子來(lái)幫助分析。
(1)添加by引出主語(yǔ)
句子主語(yǔ)或賓語(yǔ)是不定式動(dòng)作的承受者,或不定式與修飾對(duì)象構(gòu)成動(dòng)賓關(guān)系,且不定式動(dòng)作實(shí)際執(zhí)行者在句中找不到,不定式只能選擇被動(dòng)形式。為便于理解,可依據(jù)主語(yǔ)、不定式和修飾對(duì)象三者邏輯關(guān)系判斷不定式動(dòng)作實(shí)施者,自行添加by引出即可。
【例9】The airport____next year will help promote tourism in this area.
A. being completed
B.to be completed C.completed
D.having been completed
分析:B。不定式to complete與修飾語(yǔ)the airport構(gòu)成動(dòng)賓關(guān)系,但根據(jù)句意,句子主語(yǔ)the airport不是不定式to complete動(dòng)作實(shí)施者。機(jī)場(chǎng)修建應(yīng)有施工人員去實(shí)施,故選擇被動(dòng)式。為便于梳理關(guān)系,the one to be completed可這樣理解為the one to be completed (by workers)。
(2)添加for引出主語(yǔ)
①在“be+to blame/seek/let”結(jié)構(gòu)中
在此結(jié)構(gòu)中,不定式與其作用對(duì)象存在動(dòng)賓關(guān)系,不定式使用主動(dòng)形式。為便于理解,可以將“be+to blame/seek/let”解釋為“be+for sb. to blame/seek/let”。
【例10】I feel it is your husband who____for the spoiled child.
A. is to blame
B.is going to blame C.is to be blamed D.should blame
分析:A。不定式to blame與其作用對(duì)象who之間存在動(dòng)賓關(guān)系,但I(xiàn) feel it is your husband who is to blame for the spoiled child可這樣理解為I feel it is your husband who is (for you) to blame for the spoiled child,故選擇主動(dòng)形式。再如:Mr Green stood up in defence of the 16-year-old boy,saying that he was not the one (for us) to blame.
②在“主語(yǔ)+系動(dòng)詞+形容詞+to do”或“動(dòng)詞+賓語(yǔ)+形容詞(補(bǔ)語(yǔ))+to do”結(jié)構(gòu)中
在此結(jié)構(gòu)中,不定式與主語(yǔ)或賓語(yǔ)存在動(dòng)賓關(guān)系,但做補(bǔ)語(yǔ)的形容詞用來(lái)描述主語(yǔ)或賓語(yǔ)屬性、特征、品質(zhì)等。為便于理解不定式究竟該選用主動(dòng)還是被動(dòng)形式,可以在不定式前加上介詞for引出邏輯主語(yǔ)。
【例11】This machine is very easy____.Anybody can learn to use it in a few minutes.
A. operating
B.to be operating
C.operated
D.to operate
分析:D。不定式to operate與其作用對(duì)象this machine之間存在動(dòng)賓關(guān)系,但This machine is very easy to operate可這樣理解為T(mén)his machine is very easy (for anybody) to operate,故選擇主動(dòng)形式。不定式的邏輯主語(yǔ)不在含不定式句中而是在另一句中,須自行添加for引出。類(lèi)似地,再如:The difference in thickness and weight from the earlier version makes the iPad 2 more comfortable (for people) to hold.
(3)轉(zhuǎn)化成句子識(shí)別主語(yǔ)
在“關(guān)聯(lián)詞+to do”結(jié)構(gòu)中,不定式與其作用對(duì)象若存在動(dòng)賓關(guān)系,不定式依然使用主動(dòng)形式。為便于理解,可以將“關(guān)聯(lián)詞+to do”解釋為“關(guān)聯(lián)詞+sb.will/can+do”。
【例12】I have worked with children before, so I know what____in my job.
A. expected
B.to expect
C.to be expecting
D.expects
分析:B。不定式to expect與其作用對(duì)象what存在動(dòng)賓關(guān)系,但I(xiàn) know what to expect in my job可這樣理解為I know what I will expect in my job,故選擇主動(dòng)形式。再如:The mother didn't know who to blame(who she would blame/who was to blame) for the broken glass as it happened while she was out.
3.執(zhí)行者不明確
當(dāng)不定式動(dòng)作執(zhí)行者有不同理解時(shí),不定式主被動(dòng)形式不同,意義也不同。做題時(shí)務(wù)必依據(jù)題干揣摩動(dòng)作實(shí)施者是說(shuō)話(huà)者本人還是他人。主體為說(shuō)話(huà)者時(shí)(sth.is done by yourself)選擇主動(dòng)形式,主體為他人時(shí)(sth. is done by others)選擇被動(dòng)形式。
【例13】If there is a lot of work____,I'm happy to just keep on until it is finished.
A. to do
B.to be doing
C.done
D.doing
分析:A。動(dòng)詞不定式to do與修飾語(yǔ)a lot of work存在動(dòng)賓關(guān)系,但不定式動(dòng)作實(shí)施者仍然是句子主語(yǔ)I,故選擇主動(dòng)形式。試比較:
(1)There is a lot of work (for me) to do(或by myself), so I can't spare time to visit my parents.(有很多活要干,我抽不出空去看望父母親。)
(2) There is a lot of work to be done (by workers), so l have to hire more workers to help.(活很多,我得再多招幾位工人幫忙。)
總之,不定式語(yǔ)態(tài)的選擇具有挑戰(zhàn)性,要求具備極強(qiáng)的分析問(wèn)題和解決問(wèn)題能力。做題時(shí)遵循兩條標(biāo)準(zhǔn),即首先辨關(guān)系,其次找主語(yǔ)(為便于發(fā)現(xiàn),可加介詞引出或改換成句子),問(wèn)題便能迎刃而解,事半功倍。
[練一練]
1. The old man sat in front of the television every evening, happy ______ anything thathappened to be on.
A. to watch
B. watching
C. watched
D. to have watched
2. I like getting up very early in summer. The morning air is so good ______.
A. to be breathed
B. to breath
C. breathing
D. being breathed
3. I feel greatly honored ______
into their society.
A. to welcome
B. welcoming
C. to be welcomed
D. welcomed
4. The message is very important, so it is supposed ______ as soon as possible.
A. to be sent
B. to send
C. being sent
D. sending
5. There were many talented actors out there just waiting____.
A. to discover
B. to be discovered
C. discovered
D. being discovered
6. His first book ______ next month is based on a true story.
A. published
B. to be published
C. to publish
D. being published
7. In many people's opinion, that company, though relatively small, is pleasant ______.
A. to deal with
B. dealing with
C. to be dealt with
D. dealt with
8. Twenty students want to attend the class that aims to teach ______ to read fast.
A. what
B. who
C. how
D. why
9. If they win the final tonight, the team are going to tour around the city ______ by their enthusiastic supporters.
A. being cheered
B. be cheered
C. to be cheered
D. were cheered
10. There are five pairs ______, but I'm at a loss which to buy.
A. to be chosen
B. to choose from
C. to choose
D. for choosing
11. We're having a meeting in half an hour. The decision ______ at the meeting will influence the future of our company.
A. to be made
B. being made
C. made
D. having been made
12. George returned after the war, only ______ that his wife had left him.
A. to be told
B. telling
C. being told
D. told
13. We've had a good start, but next, more work needs ______ to achieve the final success.
A. being done
B. do
C. to be done
D. to do
14. Tom took a taxi to the airport, only ______ his plane high up in the sky.
A. finding
B. to find
C. being found
D. to have found
15. No matter how bright a talker you are, there are times when it's better ______ silent.
A. remain
B. be remaining
C. having remained
D. to remain
參考答案:1~5 ABCAB 6~10 BACCB 11~15 AACBD