V–ing句式 1
問： (a) Her job is raising pigs.
(b) The situation is encouraging.
句(a) 中的raising 和句(b) 中的encouraging 都是v-ing 形式, 而且都充當主詞補語, 請問如何鑒別哪個是動名詞, 哪個是現在分詞?
答：初學者可以用以下兩種方法來鑒別:
A. 充當主詞補語的動名詞一般可以與主詞互換位置, 句子仍然成立, 而且基本含義不變:
- Her job is raising pigs.→ Raising pigs is her job. 她的工作是養豬。
- Her first job had been selling computers. → Selling computers had been her first job. 她的第一個工作是銷售電腦。
B. 動名詞充當主詞補語時, 主詞補語部分在意義上可以與主詞部分劃等號。例如:
Her job = raising pigs.
而現在分詞充當主詞補語時卻不能這樣做。
請分析下面的句子:
- The matter is quite pressing.
- To keep money you have found is stealing.
- This answer was pleasing to his parents.
V–ing句式 2
問：When installing a boiler, the floor space which is available is very important.上面句中分詞片語的邏輯主詞與句中的文法主詞不一致, 這是不是錯誤的句子結構?
答：英語裡確實有一個所謂的依附原則(attachment rule), 它規定充當副詞的分詞片語(或不定詞片語) 的邏輯主詞應當與句中的文法主詞保持一致, 否則便是錯誤的, 例如:
× Driving to Chicago that night, a sudden thought struck me.
但是, 這條規則只適用於大多數情況, 而並非適用於所有的情況。語言學家們認為, 依附原則在下列情況下是不適用的:
A. 分詞(或不定詞) 的邏輯主詞泛指“人”、“人們”、“我們”、“大家”
- While making an efficiency test on an engine, certain precautions should be observed. 在對發動機進行效率試驗時, 應當採取一些預防措施。
- When installing a boiler, the floor space which is available is very important. 安裝鍋爐時, 在地面有可供利用的空間是很重要的。
B. 當分詞片語充當評注性副詞時, 其邏輯主詞實際上就是講話人自己或者作者加讀者: I, we, you:
- Putting it mildly, you have caused us some inconvenience. 說得溫和一些, 你給我們帶來了一些不便。
- Broadly speaking, all elements can be classified as metals and non-metals. 粗略地說, 所有的元素可分為金屬和非金屬。
- Judging from what you say, he has done his best. 從你說的來判斷, 他已經盡全力了。
另外, 有些詞雖然具有v-ing 形式, 但已轉化為介係詞或連接詞, 在這裡就更不能應用依附規則了(如considering, excepting, concerning, regarding, providing 等) :
- Considering her dislike of Martin, it was surprising that she invited him. 由於她不喜歡馬丁, 所以她邀請他很是令人驚訝。
- He was the only human male for miles around (excepting an old handyman). 他是幾英里內唯一的男人(除了一個幹雜活的老人) 。