英语的情态动词(modal verbs)可以协助主动词,表达一句话的语气;有时,不同的情态动词还会多少扭转一句话的含意。例如Shall I come in?和May I come in?这两句话的含意一样吗?答案是否定的。
用May提问,目的在请求对方同意某事,是种客气方式,意思是:我想进来,不知你允许吗?
用Shall提问,目的在探听对方要不要我进来,有点像Do you want me to come in?而你要我进来,我就进来,你不要我进来,我就不进来。
现在再比较下列各组,看看语意有何差别:
(1) a. Shall I read this book now?
(你现在要我看这本书吗?)
b. May I read this book now?
(我现在可以看这本书吗?)
(2) a. Shall I buy the stamps for you?
(你要我替你买邮票吗?)
b. Can I buy the stamps for you?
(我可以替你买邮票吗?)
(3) a. Shall I write the annual report?
(你要我写年终报告吗?)
b. Might/May/Can I write the annual report?
(我可以写年终报告了吗?)
最后,再看看另外两句的差别何在?
(4) Our basketball team has gone to Malaysia.
(5) Our basketball team has been to Malaysia.
第4句子里用gone;5里用been。一字不同,意思有别。
前句的含义是:这支队伍现在已不在这儿到马来西亚去了。后句的意思是:这支队伍曾经去过马来西亚,但现在已在这儿。
同样的,第6句和第7句的含义差别也和4及5一样:
(6) Jade has gone to China.
(7) Jade has been to China.
由此可见,have gone to和have been to尽管样貌相似,用的都是现在完成时态,但含意并不相同。
通过上述例句的对比,可以知道今天早上,海伦去看过牙医了的英译句应该是8或9:
(8) Helen has been to the dentist.
(9) Helen went to see the dentist this morning.不能说:
(10) Helen has gone to the dentist this morning.
还有,针对Where have you been before?这句问话,正确的答案是11不是12:
(11) I have been to London.
(12) I have gone to London.
因为人还在说话,怎么可以在伦敦?
在结束本文之前,请比较13a和13b,以确定其语意:
(13) a. The security guard is used to watch the bank.
b. The security guard is used to watching the bank.
13a. 是被动句,意思是:保安人员被用来看守银行。主动句是:Someone uses the security guard to watch the bank.
13b. 是接系动词+used to + 宾语
(linking verb + used to + object),意思是:
保安人员习惯于看守银行。
其他例子:
(14) Are you used to living in a cold counrty?(你习惯住在寒冷国家吗?)
(15) I am quite used to cold weather.(我相当适应冷天气。)
国际英语资讯:U.S. senator Sanders launches 2020 presidential campaign
爱能化解一切辛劳
国内英语资讯:Chinas top legislature prepares for upcoming annual session
体坛英语资讯:Lazio, Milan draw 0-0 in Italy Cup semi-final
民主党高层议员誓言加紧调查特朗普
国产羽绒服在美卖疯了,纽约街头撞衫率爆表!加拿大鹅:我不要面子吗
国内英语资讯:China to run driverless maglev trains at 200 kph in 2020
学霸一般每天学习几个小时?
国内英语资讯:China stock market to see big capital inflow in 2019 upon MSCI weight decision, UBS says
体坛英语资讯:Lennon takes over as interim Celtic manager
体坛英语资讯:China among eight seeds for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 draw
国际英语资讯:Pakistan PM invites India for dialogue amid escalating tensions across LoC
父亲留给我的最后的话
国内英语资讯:Lawmakers brainstorm methods to seal victory over poverty
国内英语资讯:Weekly policy snapshot of Chinese economy
迪士尼在上海开全球首个疯狂动物城园区
国内英语资讯:Chinese State Councilor meets senior French diplomat, former US official
体坛英语资讯:German veteran Nowitzki open to another season in NBA
体坛英语资讯:Brazilian players dominate Chinese top-tier football league
体坛英语资讯:Fredettes 34 points fails to secure victory for Shanghai Sharks
体坛英语资讯:Ter Stegen increasing pressure on German number 1 Neuer
可口可乐的新品完全不像可乐,超有质感
美韩宣布停止大规模联合军事演习
国际英语资讯:Interview: Belt and Road Initiative can benefit all, Piraeus port a good example: experts
国内英语资讯:Over 2,600 exhibitors gather at annual intl jewelry show in Hong Kong
体坛英语资讯:Solskjaer looks for positives from Man Ut injuy list
体坛英语资讯:Norway beat China 3-1 at their 2019 Algarve Cup debut
国际英语资讯:Russia says ready to consult with U.S. on Venezuela based on UN Charter
国内英语资讯:HKSAR govt sees Greater Bay Area development as golden opportunity
国内英语资讯:Across China: From imitation to creation, Chinese village paints new life