桂建友
Ive got a lot of things to do. 在這個句子中,to do為什么不是 to be done?不定式作定語時,與被修飾的名詞有四種關系,并由此決定是主動式還是被動式:
一、主謂關系
Hes not such a man to bow before difficulties.句中 a man與 to bow 在邏輯上是主謂關系,所以不定式用主動式。
二、所屬關系
The poor boy had no chance to go to school. 句中 no chance to go to school可換成 no chance of going to school,由此可見,chance與動作 go是所屬關系。因此,其不定式用主動式。
三、(邏輯主語明確的)動賓關系
(1)Ive got a lot of things to do. to do 與things 是動賓關系,但 to do 意義上的主語(即邏輯主語)明確,肯定是“I”。
(2)Have you got anything to say?to say 與anything 是動賓關系;to say 意義上的主語肯定是“you”。因而不定式用主動式。若to say的邏輯主語不是“you”,如 Have you got anything to be said to Mr. Wang?可能的意義是“您有話要我(他、她……)轉告王先生嗎?”
(3)Theres no ground to skate on here. to skate是不及物動詞,skate on 的賓語是ground,但 on the ground 實際上是句子的狀語。因此,to skate的邏輯主語肯定是指“人們”,不會誤解。
四、(邏輯主語不明確的)動賓關系
(1)Are you going to the party to be given at the English Department?句中 to give意義上的主語不明確,肯定不是句中的“you” 。若用主動式to give,就表明 the party 是“you”主辦的了。顯然這不合句意。所以,不定式須用被動式。
(2)Have you anything to be taken to the city?(to be taken 的含義是“讓我?guī)А被颉罢埶藥А薄?/p>
(3)I have a letter to be typed,Miss Liu. 顯然,不是“I”打信;若是“ I ”打信,則可能的情況是:“Im afraid I cant go with you this moment. Ive got a letter to type.”)
至于There is no time to lose / to be lost.一句,兩種形式均可,因其句意可作兩種理解:
1. There is no time (for us) to lose.
2. There is no time to be lost.
據此,請練習判斷:
1. The prisoner failed in his attempt ____. (escape)
2. An apple falling was nothing unusual, but Newton was the first ____ it scientifically.(explain)
3. He was to get a book ____. (read)
4. The agreement ___________ tomorrow will concern technical cooperation. (sign)
[Key]
1. to escape / of escaping
2. to explain
3. to read
4. to be signed
編輯/梁宇清