李建高
英語中,由some, any, no, every與 body, one, thing構成的不定代詞稱為復合不定代詞。復合不定代詞包括:somebody, someone, something, anybody, anyone, anything, nobody, no one, nothing, everybody, everyone, everything,共12個。它們的具體用法如下:
1. 復合不定代詞表示單數(shù)概念,作主語時,謂語動詞通常用單數(shù)形式。如:
Someone is waiting for you at the school gate. 有人正在校門口等你。
Everyone has a nice gift. 每個人都有一個漂亮的禮物。
2. 復合不定代詞被形容詞或動詞不定式修飾時,形容詞或動詞不定式要放在復合不定代詞的后面。如:
There is nothing wrong with your eyes. 你的眼睛沒有毛病。
Listen to me. I have something to tell you. 聽我說,我有一些事情要告訴你們。
3. 由some構成的復合不定代詞多用于肯定句,也可用于表示請求、建議并希望得到肯定回答的疑問句中。由any構成的復合不定代詞多用于否定句或疑問句,但是強調“任何人或事”時,也可以用于肯定句。如:
Someone called you just now, but you weren’t in. 剛才有人給你打電話,但是你不在。
Could you ask someone to help me, please? 請你找人幫我好嗎?
I just sat still and didn’t say anything. 我只是坐著一動不動,什么也沒說。
Did anyone find it? 有人找到它了嗎?
You can buy anything you like. 你可以買你所喜歡的任何東西。
4. no one / nobody / nothing這幾個表示否定含義,相當于not anyone / not anybody / not anything。如:
There is nobody in the classroom. / There’s not anybody in the classroom. 教室里沒人。
5. 復合不定代詞后習慣上不接表示范圍的of短語,但分開寫的any one, every one卻可以接of短語。如:
Any one of the plans will do. 這些計劃中的任何一個都行。
Every one of these guidebooks has been carefully written. 這些導游手冊本本都寫得很細致。
6. 指代something, anything, nothing, everything等指事的復合不定代詞時用it,不用they,指代someone, anyone, everyone, somebody, anybody, nobody等指人的復合不定代詞時可用單數(shù)he, him, his (較正式),也可用復數(shù)they, them, their (非正式)。如:
Nothing can happen, can it? 什么事情也不會發(fā)生,對嗎?
If anybody wants a ticket for the concert, he / they can get it from my office.
如果有誰想要那場音樂會的票,可以到我的辦公室去拿。
【典型例題】
1.______________hopes for a sweet home as it provides us with warmth and trust.
A. None B. Everyone C. Nobody D. Somebody
【答案與解析】B. none意為“什么也沒有”;everyone意為“每人,人人,所有人”;nobody意為“沒有人”;somebody意為“某人”。根據(jù)句意:“人人都希望有一個溫馨的家,因為它為我們提供了溫暖和信任”。故選B。
2. Did you do______________during the last summer vacation?
A. something special B. special something C. anything special
【答案與解析】C. something意為“某物,某事”,一般用于肯定句;anything意為“任何事物”,一般用于疑問句或否定句。顯然,該句是一般疑問句,所以空白處只能填anything,又因為形容詞special修飾復合不定代詞時應后置。故選C。
3. There’s______________wrong with the engine—it’s making strange noises.
A. nothing B. anything C. everything D. something
【答案與解析】D. nothing意為“沒有一件東西”;anything意為“任何事物”;everything意為“每樣事物,每件事,所有事物”;something意為“某物,某事”。依據(jù)“it’s making strange noise”可知,空白處應填something。故選D。
【即時演練】根據(jù)句意,從括號中選擇恰當?shù)脑~(組)填空。
1. —There is______________(something / anything) in my right eye.
—I’d like to help you get it out, but I can’t see ______________(something/anything) in it.
2. Everyone except Tom and John ______________(was / were) there when the meeting began.
3. —Did Anna go to the city park yesterday?
—Yes, but she thought there was______________(interesting nothing/nothing interesting) there.
4. As______________(somebody / anybody) can see, Mary is the winner of the tennis game.
5. —Mum, I’m hungry. Could you make me ______________(something/anything) to eat?
—Sure. How about hamburgers?
6. —Good morning, class! Is ______________(anyone/everyone) here today?
—Yes, all the students are here.
Keys: 1. something; anything 2. was 3. nothing interesting 4. anybody 5. something 6. everyone