胡志均
摘 要:本文通过充分的例证对英语非谓语动词的逻辑主语的判定方法进行细致的总结。
关键词:非限定动词;逻辑主语;判定
在英语中,动词是词类中最复杂的,掌握好动词的用法是非常关键的。最令中国学生头痛与困惑的动词类型是非限定动词,又叫非谓语动词,英语非谓语动词有三种基本形式:不定式、分词(现在分词和过去分词)和动名词,它们在句中不能单独充当谓语,不受主语的限定,没有人称和数的变化,具有名词、形容词和副词的特征,在句中可以充当主语、宾语、表语、定语、状语、补足语等。同时非谓语动词也保留了动词的部分特征,有时态和语态的变化,也可以有自己的宾语、表语、状语等,构成非谓语动词短语,在逻辑意义上也有其动作的执行者或承受者,叫非谓语动词的逻辑主语(Logical Subjects)。正确分析非谓语动词的逻辑主语,对于准确把握语义十分重要。下面,根据自己多年的教学经验,就非谓语动词的逻辑主语问题进行一下总结,供大家在学习中参考。
一、非谓语动词带有自己独立的逻辑主语
(1)不定式的逻辑主语由介词for或of引出,置于不定式前面,构成不定式复合结构。例如:
I think it is very important for her to observe the new safety rules.
Its kind of you to say so.
(2)在动名词的复合结构中,动名词的逻辑主语是其前面的名词或代词宾格(有时也由名词所有格或形容词性物主代词表示)。例如:
Do you mind me/my opening the window now?
His arriving early made the students very happy.
He approved the boys paying for the damage.
(3)在独立主格结构中,现在分词或过去分词的逻辑主语是其前面的名词或代词主格。例如:
It being cold yesterday, they didnt go swimming but stayed at home.
He rushed into the classroom, his face covered with sweat.
二、句中的主语也是非谓语动词的逻辑主语
(1)不定式在句中充当宾语、状语、主语修饰语和主语补足语时,其逻辑主语是句中主语。例如:
The young man decided to leave the college.
Marry aims to go skating with Tom tomorrow.
I was delighted to meet him at the airport
The little girl was seen to cross the street alone.
不定式在句中充当表语或主语的同位语时,其逻辑主语是主语修饰语的主格形式。例如:
My plan is to learn 500 new words this term.
→My plan is that I will learn 500 new words this term.
(2)现在分词在句中充当宾语、状语、主语修饰语和主语补足语时,其逻辑主语是句中主语。例如:
They stopped talking when the teacher came in.
The man standing near the window is our class teacher.
Hearing the sad news, he couldnt help crying.
They were seen playing volleyball on the playground.
(3)动名词在句中充当表语或主语的同位语时,其逻辑主语是主语修饰语的主格形式。例如:
His wish is living a happy life.→He wishes that he could live a happy life.
His job is raising pigs.→It is his job that he raises pigs.
(4)过去分词在句中充当状语、主语修饰语和主语补足语时,其逻辑主语是句中主语。例如:
The book written by Mark Twain is very humorous.
The project was found uncompleted
Given more time, they can finish the work on time.
三、句中的宾语也是非谓语动词的逻辑主语
(1)不定式在句中充当宾语修饰语和宾语补足语时,其逻辑主语是句中宾语。例如:
He asked me to leave a message.
I often hear him sing in the next room.
(2)现在分词和过去分词在句中充当宾语修饰语和宾语补足语时,其逻辑主语是句中宾语。例如:
He heard someone knocking at the door.
Please keep us informed of the latest news.
四、句中的表语也是非限定动词的逻辑主语
当不定式、现在分词或过去分词在句中充当表语修饰语时,表语就是其逻辑主语。例如:
He is always the first worker to come to factory.
Our country is a developing country.
This is an old temple built in 1453.
五、非谓语动词逻辑主语的省略及其它
(1)当不定式、动名词在句中充当主语或表语,表达一个常理时,其逻辑主语往往省略。例如:
To swim in deep water is very dangerous.
Crying over the spilt milk is no good.
(2)当不定式在句中充当插入语时,其逻辑主语也要省略。常见的有to tell the truth, to start with, to sum up, to be sure, to be fair, to be frank, believe it or not等。例如:
To tell you the truth, I dont like his behaviour
Believe it or not, I have never lied to others.
(3)有时,一个现在分词或过去分词结构无法确定其逻辑主语,意义比较含糊。这种分词结构叫做“无依着分词结构”。
Opening the cupboard, something strange fell out.
Painted pink, we like the bedroom better.
从传统语法结构的角度来看,上述句子是有问题的,是无法解释的。但是在现代报刊杂志和科技文体中,只要不引起意义分歧,无依着分词结构还是可以使用的。不必去追究其逻辑主语到底是谁,知道意思就可以了。
总之,非谓语动词的逻辑主语应根据非谓语动词的类别以及在句中充当的成分而确定。切勿盲目乱猜影响对单句及全文的理解。
(作者单位:天津农学院基础科学学院)