河南 (特級教師)
在英語中,虛擬語氣的運用隨處可見,它在英語語法中也占有較大的分量。但由于英、漢兩種語言在結(jié)構(gòu)形式上的差別,加上虛擬語氣備考教學(xué)沒有抓住關(guān)鍵,使得學(xué)生感覺虛擬語氣語言現(xiàn)象“虛無縹緲”,對其似懂非懂,學(xué)習(xí)和掌握起來相當(dāng)困難。本文旨在對虛擬語氣知識點進(jìn)行歸納提煉,以幫助高三師生在一輪復(fù)習(xí)階段有效備考。
語氣是一種動詞形式,表示說話者的意圖和目的。在英語中有四種語氣:
1.陳述語氣:表示所說的話是一個事實或一個想法。如:
Tom is studying the subjunctive mood very hard.湯姆在認(rèn)真學(xué)習(xí)虛擬語氣。
2.疑問語氣:用來提出問題。如:
Can you think of a comedian who really turns you off?你能想出一位確實讓你反感的喜劇演員嗎?
3.祈使語氣:表示所說的話是請求、邀請、警告或命令。如:
Please hand me the eraser.請把橡皮擦遞給我。
Turn left and you canfind the library.左轉(zhuǎn)你就會找到圖書館。
4.虛擬語氣:表示所說的話是一種難以實現(xiàn)的主觀愿望或與事實不符的假設(shè)/建議/命令、指令/要求等。如:
I wish I were twenty years younger.我真希望我可以年輕二十歲。(難以實現(xiàn)的主觀愿望)
If they had reached the beach, they would probably have been killed.如果他們到達(dá)了海灘,很可能就被殺害了。(與過去事實不符的假設(shè))
They suggested that a meeting should be held.他們建議開個會。(建議)
He accordingly directed that preparations be made to put the blockage into effect on Monday.于是,他指示做好準(zhǔn)備,以使封鎖在星期一生效。(指令)
The commander demanded that all the soldiers should get to the destination before 4 o'clock.指揮官要求所有的士兵在四點前到達(dá)目的地。(要求)
在上述四種語氣當(dāng)中,祈使語氣中的謂語動詞用動詞原形。陳述語氣、疑問語氣需根據(jù)時態(tài)確定謂語動詞的形式。而虛擬語氣則要根據(jù)不同的句式確定謂語動詞的形式。一句話,語氣體現(xiàn)在謂語動詞的形式上。
1.如果條件狀語從句所表示的假設(shè)不可能實現(xiàn)或與事實相反,則從句和主句皆用虛擬語氣。這是判斷條件狀語從句和主句中用不用虛擬語氣的依據(jù)。虛擬語氣的動詞形式見下表:
動詞形式表達(dá)的含義 條件狀語從句中的謂語動詞形式 主句中的謂語動詞形式與現(xiàn)在事實相反 1.過去式(be的過去式用were)2.過去進(jìn)行式 would/should/could/might +動詞原形與過去事實相反 1.had + 過去分詞2.could have + 過去分詞(含有“能夠”的意思) would/should/could/might + have + 過去分詞與將來事實相反1.過去式(be的過去式用were)2.were to + 動詞原形3.should + 動詞原形would/should/could/might +動詞原形
舉例如下:
【例1】If it were summer,we would go swimming.如果現(xiàn)在是夏天,我們就去游泳。(現(xiàn)在不是夏天)
【例2】If they had time, they would/could/might go to see thefilm.如果他們有時間,他們就會/就能/也許去看電影。(他們現(xiàn)在沒時間)
【例3】If it were not raining so hard now, we'd go to town.要不是現(xiàn)在雨下得這么大,我們就進(jìn)城去。(現(xiàn)在雨下得大)
【例4】(2017年北京卷34,改編)If the new safety system had been put to use, the accident would never have happened.如果新的安全制度付諸實施了,事故就不會發(fā)生了。(過去沒有實施新的安全制度)
【例5】If we could have borrowed enough money yesterday,we would have bought the house.如果昨天能夠借到足夠的錢,我們就把房子買下了。(昨天沒有借到足夠的錢)
【例6】If it rained tomorrow, I would stay at home.如果明天下雨,我會留在家里。(事實上明天下雨的可能性不大)
【例7】If I were to do the work, I should do it in a different way.如果我去做這項工作,我會以不同的方式去做。(要去做這項工作的不是我)
【例8】If it should rain, the crops could be saved.如果下雨,莊家可能就有救了。(下雨的可能性不大)
注意:主句中的should只用于第一人稱,但在美式英語中,should常被would代替;從句中的should可用于各種人稱。
2.使用虛擬條件句應(yīng)該注意的幾個問題:
(1)省略if,從句使用倒裝句式
當(dāng)虛擬條件句中含有were, had或should時,可以省略連詞if,但要把were, had或should 提到句首,變?yōu)榈寡b句式。如:
【例9】(2017年江蘇卷22,改編)Were it not for the support of the teachers,the student could not overcome her difficulty.要不是因為老師們的支持,這位學(xué)生就不能克服她的困難。(原句為:If it were not for the support of the teachers,the student could not overcome her difficulty.)
【例10】(2015年江蘇卷28,改編)It might have saved me some trouble had I known the schedule.如果我知道了計劃,也許會省掉一些麻煩。(原句為:It might have saved me some trouble if I had known the schedule.)
【例11】(2014年福建卷32,改編)Were there no modern telecommunications,we would have to wait for weeks to get news from around the world.如果沒有現(xiàn)代通訊,我們將不得不等待幾周的時間才能獲得世界各地的消息。(原句為:If there were no modern telecommunications,we would have to wait for weeks to get news from around the world.)
【例12】If it should rain, the crops could be saved.萬一下雨,莊稼就能得救。(可以變?yōu)椋篠hould it rain,the crops could be saved.)
(2)錯綜時間虛擬條件句
當(dāng)條件狀語從句表示的動作或行為和主句表示的動作或行為所發(fā)生的時間不一致時,其被稱為“錯綜時間虛擬條件句”,動詞的形式要根據(jù)它所表示的時間做出相應(yīng)的調(diào)整。如:
【例13】If you had studied harder, you would be a university student now.如果你能更努力學(xué)習(xí),你現(xiàn)在就會是一名大學(xué)生了。(從句與過去事實相反,主句與現(xiàn)在事實相反)
(3)含蓄條件句
有時,為了表達(dá)的需要,在含有虛擬語氣的句子中并不總是出現(xiàn)if引導(dǎo)的條件句,而是通過其他手段來代替條件狀語從句。主要有下面幾種情況:
①虛擬條件句隱含在上下文中。如:
【例14】You could have caught thefirst bus but you got up late.你本來是能夠趕上第一班車的,但是你起床晚了。(根據(jù)語境省去了條件句if you had got up earlier)
②用一個詞代替條件狀語從句。如:
【例15】He was too busy yesterday; otherwise he would have gone to thefilm.他昨天太忙了。要不然的話,他會去看電影的。(otherwise = if he hadn't been too busy yesterday)
【例16】(2015年安徽卷32,改編)It is lucky we booked a room, or we would have nowhere to stay now.很幸運,我們預(yù)訂到了房間。不然的話,我們就沒有地方住了。(or = if we hadn't booked a room)
③用不定式代替條件狀語從句。如:
【例17】It would be a mistake not to stop him giving up the job.不阻止他放棄這個工作將是一個錯誤。(not to stop him giving up the job = if we didn't stop him giving up the job)
④用介詞短語代替條件狀語從句。如:
【例18】(2015年重慶卷7,改編)Without his wartime experiences, Hemingway wouldn't have written his famous novel A Farewell to Arms.如果沒有他的戰(zhàn)時經(jīng)歷,海明威就不會寫出他著名的小說《永別了,武器》。(Without his wartime experiences = If he hadn't had his wartime experiences)
【例19】But for the heavy snow, we would go skating.要不是下大雪,我們就會去滑冰。(But for the heavy snow = If it were not for the heavy snow)
【例20】We could have done it better under more favourable conditions.如果在更有利的條件下,我們能把它做得更好。(under more favourable conditions = if we had been under more favourable conditions )
⑤用分詞短語代替條件狀語從句。如:
【例21】Given more time, they could havefinished the paper.如果給他們更多的時間,他們就能夠完成論文。(Given more time = If they had been given more time )
【例22】Meeting him somewhere else, I wouldn't have recognized him.如果在別處見面,我就不會認(rèn)出他。(Meeting him somewhere else = If I had met him somewhere else)
⑥用獨立主格結(jié)構(gòu)代替條件狀語從句。如:
【例23】Everything taken into consideration, the accident wouldn't have happened.如果把一切都考慮進(jìn)去,事故就不會發(fā)生。(Everything taken into consideration = If everything had been taken into consideration)
在下列名詞性從句中,謂語動詞用虛擬語氣,動詞形式用“should + 動詞原形”,也可以省略should,只用動詞原形。
1.在動詞suggest, advise, propose, recommend, move (建議,提議),order, command, instruct(指導(dǎo)), direct(指示),demand, require, request, insist(要求), urge(力勸,主張,要求), ask(要求), long(渴望)等后的賓語從句中。如:
【例24】The doctor suggested/insisted that she(should)stay in bed for a few days.醫(yī)生建議她臥床休息幾天。
注意:當(dāng)suggest作“暗示,表明”,insist作“堅持說”解時,其后的賓語從句不能用虛擬語氣。如:
Jack insisted that he had never stolen anything.Jack堅持說沒有偷任何東西。
2.在名詞 suggestion, advice, proposal, recommendation,motion( 提 議), order, instruction, direction, requirement,request等后由that引導(dǎo)的同位語從句中,或當(dāng)這些名詞作主語時,在其后由that引導(dǎo)的表語從句中。如:
【例25】We accepted his suggestion that we(should)carry out the programme.他建議我們執(zhí)行計劃,我們接受了。(同位語從句)
【例26】His advice is that we(should)pay a visit to the West Lake.他建議我們?nèi)ビ挝骱#ū碚Z從句)
注意:The suggestion that he raised is helpful to us.他提出的建議對我們很有用。(定語從句,不用虛擬語氣)
3.在It is/was suggested/advised/proposed/ordered/demanded/required等后的主語從句中。如:
【例27】It is suggested that the patient(should)be sent to hospital at once.有人建議將病人馬上送往醫(yī)院。
【例28】It was required that a new school(should)be built for the left-behind children.人們要求為留守兒童建一所新學(xué)校。
4.在“It is necessary(important, strange, natural)that...”這類句型里,that所引導(dǎo)的主語從句中的謂語動詞常用“(should)+ 動詞原形”結(jié)構(gòu),表示某事是“必要的”“重要的”“奇怪的”“自然的”等意義。如:
【例29】It's important that we(should)study English every day.每天都學(xué)習(xí)英語對我們來說很重要。
表示與現(xiàn)在或過去的事實相反的愿望或?qū)淼闹饔^愿望,wish后的賓語從句中用虛擬語氣,通常省略引導(dǎo)詞that。動詞形式的確定方法如下:
從句動詞形式表達(dá)的含義賓語從句中謂語動詞的形式表示與現(xiàn)在事實相反的愿望 過去式(be的過去式用were)或過去進(jìn)行式表示與過去事實相反的愿望 had +過去分詞或could have +過去分詞表示將來難以實現(xiàn)的愿望 would/could/might +動詞原形
舉例如下:
【例30】(2015年陜西卷23,改編)Ellen is a fantastic dancer.I wish I danced as well as her.Ellen是個極好的舞蹈演員。我希望我能跳得和她一樣好。
【例31】(2015年天津卷13,改編)I wish I had been at my sister's wedding last Tuesday,but I was on a business trip in New York then.我希望我上周二參加了姐姐的婚禮,但是我當(dāng)時在紐約出差。
【例32】I had an important meeting yesterday and couldn't attend your birthday party.How I wish I could have gone to it!我昨天有個重要的會議,無法參加你的生日聚會。我多希望我能去參加呀!
【例33】We wish we could be astronauts and fly to the moon.我們希望我們將來能成為宇航員,飛上月球。
1.在“It is(high/about/really)time that...”句型中,謂語動詞使用過去式或“should + 動詞原形”,should不能省略。例如:
【例34】It is(high/about/really)time that we went to bed.我們該上床睡覺了。
【例35】It is time that we should begin the meeting.我們該開始開會了。
2.用would rather/had rather表示“寧愿,但愿”,后面的賓語從句要使用虛擬語氣,用過去式表示對現(xiàn)在或?qū)淼脑竿?,用過去完成式表示對過去所發(fā)生的事情的懊悔。例如:
【例36】(2014年陜西卷23,改編)We would rather our daughter stayed at home with us,but it is her choice,and she is not a child any longer.我們寧愿女兒和我們待在家里,但這是她的選擇,她不再是個孩子了。(對現(xiàn)在表達(dá)愿望)
【例37】I would rather you came next month.我寧愿你下個月來。(對將來表達(dá)愿望)
【例38】I would rather you hadn't accepted his help.我寧愿你沒有接受他的幫助。(對過去發(fā)生過的事情表示遺憾、后悔)
3.在as if或as though引導(dǎo)的從句中
由as if或as though引導(dǎo)的從句,如果從句所說與事實不符或?qū)崿F(xiàn)的可能性很小,則從句用虛擬語氣。從句的謂語動詞用過去式(be動詞用were)表示與現(xiàn)在或當(dāng)時的情況不符;用“had + 過去分詞”表示與過去的情況不符;用“would/could/might +動詞原形”表示與將來的情況不符。如:
【例39】He speaks English as if he were an American.他說英語就好像他是美國人一樣。(與現(xiàn)在的情況不符)
【例40】They talked to each other as if they were close friends.他們交談著,好像他們是親密的朋友一樣。(與過去當(dāng)時的情況不符)
【例41】They are talking to each other as if they had been close friends for a long time.他們正在交談著,好像他們是親密的老朋友一樣。(與現(xiàn)在之前的情況不符)
【例42】They were talking to each other as if they had been close friends for a long time.他們像親密的老朋友一樣正在交談著。(與過去某時之前的情況不符)
4.在“if only...!”后的從句中
句式“if only...!”表示“要是……該有多好呀!”,表達(dá)的是與事實不符的愿望。這時,后面的從句要用虛擬語氣。用過去式或過去進(jìn)行式表示對現(xiàn)在的愿望;用“had +過去分詞”表示對過去的事情感到遺憾、后悔;用“would +動詞原形”表示對將來的愿望。例如:
【例43】If only I were ten years younger!要是我年輕十歲就好了。(對現(xiàn)在的愿望)
【例44】If only he had comefive minutes earlier!要是他早來五分鐘就好了。(對過去發(fā)生過的事情表示遺憾、后悔)
【例45】If only it would becomefine weather tomorrow!要是明天是晴天該有多好呀?。▽淼脑竿?/p>
5.在某些用于表示祝愿的固定句式中。例如:
【例46】May you have a pleasant journey! 祝你旅途愉快?。ㄊ褂玫寡b句式)
【例47】Long live our motherland!祖國萬歲?。ㄊ褂脛釉~原形和倒裝句式)
綜上所述,英語虛擬語氣復(fù)習(xí)備考要抓住關(guān)鍵,教師必須讓學(xué)生明白三件事:(1)什么是虛擬語氣?(2)何時用虛擬語氣?(3)如何使用虛擬語氣?三者缺一不可。這里面最關(guān)鍵的就是如何使用虛擬語氣,即如何確定謂語動詞的形式。教師要讓學(xué)生明白使用虛擬語氣是有條件的,虛擬語氣有固定的句式,每個句式都有其確定動詞形式的方法,并且必須牢記這些方法。只要在虛擬語氣復(fù)習(xí)備考中抓住這些關(guān)鍵,虛擬語氣便不再“虛無縹緲”,虛擬語氣的復(fù)習(xí)備考問題便可迎刃而解。