不定式一、概说不定式是一种非限定动词,通常由"to+动词原形"构成,如to be,to do,to combine,to expand,to get up等。这里的to是不定式的符号,没有词义,有时还可以省略。动词不定式没有人称和数的变化。不定式在句中不能单独用作谓语,但还保留着动词的若干特征:可以带状语,及物动词可以带宾语,系动词可以带表语。不定式可以连同它的附属成分一起组成不定式短语。例如:We decided to begin the experiment in the afternoon.【在不定式短语to begin the experiment in the afternoon中,the experiment是begin的宾语,in the afternoon是状语。整个不定式短语在句中作谓语动词decided的宾语。】我们决定了下午开始做实验。二、不定式的用法不定式(短语)在句中起相当于名词、形容词或副词的作用,可作主语、表语、宾语、定语、状语和宾语补语。(一)具有名词的性质1.用作主语。例如:(1)To make you understand him completely is impossible.让你们完全了解他是不可能的。(2)To run machines needs power.开动机器需要动力。(3)To remember to switch off the electricity is important.重要的是要记住关掉电源。To live is to function.That is all there is in living.(Holmes)活着就要发挥作用,这就是生活的全部真谛。To live of money is the root of all evil.(R.L.Stevenson)迷恋金钱是一切罪恶的根源。To be ignorant of one's ignorance is the malady of the ignorant.(A.B.Alcott)不知道自己的无知,是无知者的可悲之处。To spread knowledge is to spread happiness.(Alfred Nobel)传播知识就是播种幸福。不定式、特别是不定式短语作主语时,为了保持句子平衡,往往把主语放在句子末尾,而在它原来的位置上加上引导词it作形式上的主语。现代英语倾向于采用这种结构,尤其是当主语较长或谓语动词是被动语态或谓语动词不是系动词时,更是如此。而当句子是疑问句或感叹句时,也必须用这种结构。例如,上述(1)(2)(3)三个例子可转换为:(1)It is impossible to make you understand him completely.(2)It needs power to run machines.(3)It's important to remember to switch off the electricity.又如:It's silly to build a wall around your interests.(Walt Disney)在自己兴趣的周围建起一座墙,是愚蠢的行为。It is the duty of a scientist to remain curiosity.(A.Einstein)科学家的责任是保持好奇心。It was an easy matter to ?nd the Count when we entered the opera house.我们走进歌剧场,很容易找到了伯爵。It's good to have you back safe and sound.你们平平安安回家就好。It was my privilege to see her out of hers.(W.Faulkner)能参加她的葬礼是我的荣幸。It was a good thing to work there in the little field beneath the singing larks.(Liam O'Flaherty)在地里干活,倾听着头顶上云雀歌唱,真是乐在其中。How long will it take you to get there?(疑问句)要花多长时间才能到达那里?What a joy it was to see her!(感叹句)见到她多么高兴!在以it为形式主语的句子中,它所代表的真正主语有时用不定式复合结构。不定式的逻辑主语用for或of引出。如果句子中作表语的形容词表示事物的性质,如important,necessary,possible,easy,dif?cult,hard,heavy等,用for引出。例如:It is impossible for us to get there before lunch.我们午餐前赶到那里是不可能的。It is necessary for you to learn from others.你必须向别人学习。It is dif?cult for me to believe that you could so forget yourself and your rearing.我难以相信你会这样忘记你自己和你的教养。如果句中作表语的形容词表示人的特征、品德或意愿,如kind,honest,careless,lazy,stupid,clever,foolish,silly,sel?sh,polite,bad,generous,cruel,willing,reluctant,deliberate等,则用of引出。例如:(4)It's very nice of you to be considerate.你真好,想得这么周到。(5)It's careless of her to notice nothing of it.她很粗心,连这一点也没注意到。(6)It is foolish of him to meet her again.他很愚蠢,又跟她相会。【注】"It is+形容词+of sb.to do"句型一般可转换成一个不定式作状语的句子,语义不变;而"It is+形容词+for sb.to do"句型则不可以。例如,上述三个句子可转换为:(4)You are very nice to be considerate.(5)She is careless to notice nothing of it.(6)He is foolish to meet her again.2.用作表语。例如:Her wish was to become a teacher.她的愿望是当个教师。The most dif?cult thing in life is to know yourself.(Thales)人生最难是自知。To know everything is to know nothing.样样都懂,样样稀松。There are two tragedies in life.One is not to get your heart's desire.The other is to get it.(G.B.Shaw)人生有两种悲剧:一种是得不到你想要的东西,另一种是得到了你想要的东西。To enlarge or illustrate this power and effect of love is to set a candle in the sun.(Robert Burton)用笔墨叙述爱情的这种力量和影响,无异于在阳光下点燃一支蜡烛。What we want is to learn from practice.我们需要的是向实践学习。带wh-疑问词的不定式短语可作表语。例如:Our dif?culty is where to ?nd a guide.我们的困难是到哪里去找向导。用介词for引出不定式的逻辑主语的不定式复合结构,可作表语;这时,句中的主语是不定式的逻辑宾语。例如:This form is for you to ?ll(in).这张表格由你来填写。A lecture on high-energy physics will be for Professor Bryce to deliver.高能物理演讲将由布赖斯教授来做。在用不定式作表语的句子中,系动词除be外,还有seem,happen,appear,get,pretend等。例如:He seems(appears)to be living in the area.他似乎是住在这个地区。He appears to have caught cold.他似乎是伤风了。She pretended not to see him.她装作没看见他。句中如果主语部分有实义动词do的各种形式,作表语的不定式实际上是do的引申,即表示do所做的内容,这时不定式可省略to。例如:The least I can do is(to)write to you.我至少能做到的是给你写信。What the plan does is(to)ensure a fair pension for all.实施这项计划就是保证给所有的人一笔可观的救济金。The only thing I can do now is go on by myself.我现在唯一能做的事就是自己继续进行下去。3.用作宾语。不定式用作宾语时相当于名词,放在某些及物动词之后。这类及物动词常见的有:afford,agree,aim,appear,apply,arrange,ask,attempt等。例如:The owner wanted to make a large purchase of gift before Christmas.老板想在圣诞节前做一大笔礼品生意。I try to keep that in mind.我努力记住这一点。He had decided to return after receiving the ?rst letter from Tess.收到苔丝的第一封信后,他便决定起程回来。用作宾语的动词不定式有时可以带上疑问词how,where,who,when,which,why,what等一起构成不定式短语。能用于这种结构的动词,常见的有:ask,consider,decide,discuss,explain,?nd out,forget,inquire,know,learn,remember等。例如:She forgot which way to take.她忘了该走哪条路。He didn't know whether to laugh or to cry when he heard the words.听了这话,他啼笑皆非。When I start to paint I know how to place myself in a state of inwardness.(P.Picasso)我开始作画时,我知道如何把自己置于一种灵性的境界之中。用作宾语的不定式后面如果有补语,可以用it作形式宾语,把真正宾语置于补语之后,以免宾语太长使句子显得不协调。在这种用法中,常见的动词有think,feel,make,?nd,consider,count,deem,judge,believe,take等。例如:It is impossible for us to get there before lunch.我们午餐前赶到那里是不可能的。It is necessary for you to learn from others.你必须向别人学习。It is dif?cult for me to believe that you could so forget yourself and your rearing.我难以相信你会这样忘记你自己和你的教养。如果句中作表语的形容词表示人的特征、品德或意愿,如kind,honest,careless,lazy,stupid,clever,foolish,silly,sel?sh,polite,bad,generous,cruel,willing,reluctant,deliberate等,则用of引出。例如:(4)It's very nice of you to be considerate.你真好,想得这么周到。(5)It's careless of her to notice nothing of it.她很粗心,连这一点也没注意到。(6)It is foolish of him to meet her again.他很愚蠢,又跟她相会。【注】"It is+形容词+of sb.to do"句型一般可转换成一个不定式作状语的句子,语义不变;而"It is+形容词+for sb.to do"句型则不可以。例如,上述三个句子可转换为:(4)You are very nice to be considerate.(5)She is careless to notice nothing of it.(6)He is foolish to meet her again.2.用作表语。例如:Her wish was to become a teacher.她的愿望是当个教师。The most dif?cult thing in life is to know yourself.(Thales)人生最难是自知。To know everything is to know nothing.样样都懂,样样稀松。There are two tragedies in life.One is not to get your heart's desire.The other is to get it.(G.B.Shaw)人生有两种悲剧:一种是得不到你想要的东西,另一种是得到了你想要的东西。To enlarge or illustrate this power and effect of love is to set a candle in the sun.(Robert Burton)用笔墨叙述爱情的这种力量和影响,无异于在阳光下点燃一支蜡烛。What we want is to learn from practice.我们需要的是向实践学习。带wh-疑问词的不定式短语可作表语。例如:Our dif?culty is where to ?nd a guide.我们的困难是到哪里去找向导。用介词for引出不定式的逻辑主语的不定式复合结构,可作表语;这时,句中的主语是不定式的逻辑宾语。例如:This form is for you to ?ll(in).这张表格由你来填写。A lecture on high-energy physics will be for Professor Bryce to deliver.高能物理演讲将由布赖斯教授来做。在用不定式作表语的句子中,系动词除be外,还有seem,happen,appear,get,pretend等。例如:He seems(appears)to be living in the area.他似乎是住在这个地区。He appears to have caught cold.他似乎是伤风了。She pretended not to see him.她装作没看见他。句中如果主语部分有实义动词do的各种形式,作表语的不定式实际上是do的引申,即表示do所做的内容,这时不定式可省略to。例如:The least I can do is(to)write to you.我至少能做到的是给你写信。What the plan does is(to)ensure a fair pension for all.实施这项计划就是保证给所有的人一笔可观的救济金。The only thing I can do now is go on by myself.我现在唯一能做的事就是自己继续进行下去。3.用作宾语。不定式用作宾语时相当于名词,放在某些及物动词之后。这类及物动词常见的有:afford,agree,aim,appear,apply,arrange,ask,attempt等。例如:The owner wanted to make a large purchase of gift before Christmas.老板想在圣诞节前做一大笔礼品生意。I try to keep that in mind.我努力记住这一点。He had decided to return after receiving the ?rst letter from Tess.收到苔丝的第一封信后,他便决定起程回来。用作宾语的动词不定式有时可以带上疑问词how,where,who,when,which,why,what等一起构成不定式短语。能用于这种结构的动词,常见的有:ask,consider,decide,discuss,explain,?nd out,forget,inquire,know,learn,remember等。例如:She forgot which way to take.她忘了该走哪条路。He didn't know whether to laugh or to cry when he heard the words.听了这话,他啼笑皆非。When I start to paint I know how to place myself in a state of inwardness.(P.Picasso)我开始作画时,我知道如何把自己置于一种灵性的境界之中。用作宾语的不定式后面如果有补语,可以用it作形式宾语,把真正宾语置于补语之后,以免宾语太长使句子显得不协调。在这种用法中,常见的动词有think,feel,make,?nd,consider,count,deem,judge,believe,take等。例如:She thought it unnecessary to quarrel with him over tri?es.她认为没必要为小事跟他争吵。I did not think it convenient to write about the matter.我觉得写信谈这件事不合适。He found it utterly impossible to leave the spot.(T.Hardy)他发现要离开这里是完全不可能的。I took it as an honor to have been invited to the meeting.我把应邀出席这次会议看作是一种荣誉。Before my graduation from Columbia,the family met with severe ?nancial reverses and I felt it my duty to leave college and take a job.(A.Block)没等我从哥伦比亚大学毕业,家庭经济严重恶化,我感到自己有责任退学找工作。Do you consider it worthwhile for them to make the experiment?你认为他们做这实验值得吗?不定式结构一般不可以作介词宾语,但在含有否定意义的带有介词except,but(=except)以及about,save,besides,than的结构中,可以作这些介词的宾语。例如:He seldom comes except to look at my picture.除了看我的图画,他很少来。There's no choice but to wait till it stops raining.别无选择,只有等到雨停下来。We had no duties provided for us save to eat and sleep.除了吃和睡外,没有给我们安排任务。He was about to start.他即将动身。介词except,but,save前面有表意动词do的某种形式时,不定式通常不带to。例如:There's nothing to do except wait till it stops raining.别无办法,只有等到雨停下来。I hardly remember what I did besides read.除了阅读外,我几乎记不起我还做过什么。Now there was nothing he could do except admit defeat.现在他只有认输。4.用作宾语补语。不定式作宾语补语时相当于名词,跟在某些及物动词的宾语之后,对宾语作进一步的补充说明,并与该宾语构成逻辑上的主谓关系。这类及物动词常见的有advice,allow,ask,beg,cause,consider,command,compel,drive,encourage等。例如:I wanted something to happen to me,but nothing happened.(L.Hughes)我希望在我身上会发生些什么变化,可是什么都没发生。I know nothing about him and I beg you to tell me nothing.他的情况我并不知道,我也请求您别告诉我。在一些使役动词如make,let,have等和表示感觉的动词如see,watch,perceive,observe,notice,hear,feel,look at,listen to等,作宾语补语的不定式须省略to。例如:She let her hand fall from his arm and said no more.她放开他的胳膊,没再说什么。Electricity makes machines run.电使机器转动。Then she turned quickly away,and Reinhard heard her go sobbing up the stairs.她很快转过身,莱因哈特听到她抽泣着走上台阶。The policeman observed the man open the window.警察看见了这个人打开窗子。有时,不定式可以直接置于let后面,而把let的宾语放到不定式后。例如:It would be a pity to let slip such an opportunity.错过这样一个机会真可惜。在某些表示心理状态的动词如believe,?nd,consider,prove,suppose,think,know,understand,judge,guess,declare,take,deny等后,作宾语补语的不定式往往是"to be+形容词"。这时,这些动词后的to be通常可省略。例如:They believe him(to be)innocent.他们相信他是无辜的。We found the answer(to be)correct.我们发现这个答案是对的。They declared themselves(to be)for the plan.他们宣称自己赞成这个计划。但是,如果不定式结构是完成式,则to不能省略。例如:We believe it to have been a mistake.我们相信这是一个错误。5.用作主语补语。将有宾语补语的句子改用被动语态,则原来的宾语变为主语,原来的宾语补语变为主语补语。主语补语一定要带to。例如:This test is thought to have practical value.大家认为这个试验有实际价值。He was seen to enter the laboratory.有人看见他走进了实验室。6.用作同位语。不定式偶尔可用作同位语,它位于与之同位的抽象名词之后,使该名词的内容具体化,并常用逗号、破折号或冒号把它们分开。被修饰的抽象名词常见的有:idea,fact,belief,ability,attempt,promise,answer,appeal,plot等。例如:Their aspiration,to become free and independent,is deserving of every kind of help from us.他们想自由和独立的愿望值得我们给予各方面的援助。(二)具有形容词的性质用作定语。位于被修饰的名词(短语)之后,说明被修饰词的特征。例如:Can you think up a good way to deal with the ever increasing prices?你们能否想出一个对付日益上涨的物价的好办法?A letter from Clare gave her an excuse to leave.克莱尔的一封来信给了她一个离开的借口。At present I have no lawful right to act for her.目前,我还没有保护她的法律权利。如果不定式和被修饰的具体名词之间有逻辑上的动宾关系,则不定式多半表示未来的动作,翻译时常须在不定式前加"要"字。例如:We have three machines to repair today.我们今天有三台机器要修理。Do you like something to drink?你要喝点什么吗?在处于动宾关系的情况下,如果不定式是不及物动词,其后要加一个结构上或含义上所需的介词。例如:I've got my wife and little boy to look after.(T.Dreiser)我还有老婆和孩子需要我照顾。You've given me much to think about.你已经给了我许多问题思考。John is the best man to consult about the matter with.约翰是可以与之商量此事的最合适的人。I have enough to eat and occasionally a bed to sleep in.我有足够的食物,偶尔也有床可以睡觉。为了使句子结构匀称,有时作定语的不定式与其所修饰的名词分隔开,移到谓语动词之后。例如:At the meeting a decision was made to transfer a part of the students to another school.【不定式短语修饰a decision】会上做出一项决定,把一部分学生转到另一所学校。(三)具有副词的性质1.用作状语。不定式(短语)用作状语主要表示目的、结果和原因,也可以表示条件、方式或比较。(1)用作目的状语--可位于句末或句首。有时,为了强调目的,特别是当不定式前有否定词not时,通常在不定式前加上in order或so as。前者可位于句末或句首,后者只能位于句末。例如:We use electrical energy to do many things.我们用电能做许多事情。He will be in Atlanta Friday to speak with Captain Butler and to escort you home.星期五他要到亚特兰大,同巴特勒船长交涉,顺便带你回家。John hurried in order not to be late for the party.约翰急急忙忙的,为了准时参加晚会。In order to see better,we took front seats.为了能看得更清楚些,我们坐在前排的座位上。We should develop new products so as to meet the demand of the world's market.我们应该开发新产品,以便满足国际市场的需求。(2)用作结果状语--不定式作结果状语总是位于句末,不定式的逻辑主语往往是句中的主语。能直接用不定式作结果状语的动词为数不多,常见的仅有?nd,form,hear,give,learn,make,produce等几个。例如:After the war they parted company,never to see each other again.战后他们分了手,从此再也没见过面。She went abroad never to return.她到国外去了,从此没有回来过。在"too+形容词/名词+不定式"结构中,不定式表示结果。由于too表示"过量",具有否定意义,所以这类句子在形式上是肯定的,但在内容上是否定的,译作"太……以致不能……"。例如:Atoms are too small to see.原子太小,看不见。This material is too expensive to use in everyday life.这种材料太昂贵,不能用于日常生活中。The tea is too hot to drink.茶太热,不能喝。This perfume is too expensive to purchase.这瓶香水太贵,买不起。用于enough,"so+形容词或副词+as"或"such+名词+as"之后的不定式(短语)表示结果,一般放在句末。例如:The ice is thick enough to walk on.冰很厚,能够在上面行走。The auditorium is spacious enough to hold ?ve thousand people.大礼堂很宽敞,足以容纳五千人。This kind of wood is so heavy as to sink in water.这种木头非常重,在水里会下沉。He was so angry as to be unable to speak.他生气得连话也说不出来。It is such a high temperature as to change water into steam.温度高到使水变成了蒸汽。He was in such a state as to be unable even to feed himself.他的情况这么糟糕,甚至不能糊口。His illness is not such as to cause anxiety.他没有病到引起忧虑。(3)用作原因状语--形式跟表示目的状语相似。区分标志是:表示目的,不定式前可加in order或so as,不定式的动作后于谓语动词的动作;表示原因,则不定式的动作先于谓语动词的动作。例如:She wept to hear the news.【原因】她听到这个消息哭了。(比较:She wept to obtain sympathy.【目的】她哭是为了得到同情。)I pretended to be happy to know him.【原因】(由于)认得他我装作高兴的样子。(比较:I pretended to be happy to stop mother from worrying.【目的】我装作高兴的样子,以免母亲忧虑。)He laughed to see such fun.他看见这么可笑的事笑了。I trembled to think of it.一想到这件事,我就不寒而栗。He jumped with joy to learn his being admitted to the university.他知道被录取进大学高兴得跳起来。I'll be glad to drive you home.我将很高兴开车送你回家。(4)用作条件状语。例如:To hear him talk,you would think he owned the whole world.如果你听他讲话,你会以为整个世界都是他的。A man would be blind not to see that.一个人如果看不到这一点就是瞎子。They could have done better to have had some tools.他们如果有些工具就会做得更好些。(5)用作方式状语--不定式(短语)用连词as if,as though引导。例如:He cleared his throat as though to speak.他清了清喉咙,好像要说话的样子。As if to justify his view,he cited some groundless rumors.好像要证明他的观点正确似的,他引述了一些毫无根据的传闻。(6)用作比较状语。例如:I know better than to believe such a man.我不至于相信这样一个人。The American president had no better choice than to resign.这个美国总统除辞职外,别无更好的选择。(7)用作让步状语。例如:To do his best,he could not ful?l his task in time.即使他竭尽全力,仍然不能按时完成任务。You couldn't do that to save your life.你即使为了救自己的命也不能那样做。2.用作插入语。不定式通常以固定短语形式构成独立成分,在句中用作插入语(也称评注性状语),对全句作附加说明,表示说话人对所说的话的看法或态度。作插入语的不定式常见的有:to begin with,to be fair,to be frank,to conclude等。例如:To begin with,we must consider the problem in an all-round way.首先,我们必须全面地考虑这个问题。Among the writers of his age,he was,so to speak,a giant among dwarfs.在同时代的作家中,他可以说是鹤立鸡群。To tell you the truth,they didn't quite like the idea.实话告诉你,他们并不很喜欢这种想法。To conclude,his coming here is a great help to us.总之,他来到这里对我们帮助很大。
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