浅谈英语中的虚拟语气|浅谈英语虚拟语气的语用功能

　　 [摘要] 虚拟语气是英语中比较重要的语法点之一,也是一个争议甚多的问题。本文对虚拟语气的各种形式及用法进行归纳与总结。 　　[关键词] 英语 虚拟语气 基本形式及用法
　　
　　一、虚拟语气的概念
　　虚拟语气重在表示动词的动作或状态和客观事实相反或可能相反的关系,即“非真实(unreality)”或“不确定(uncertainty)”,所以虚拟语气又叫假设语气,或想象语气,是谓语动词的特殊形式,表示说话人的主观愿望、建议、猜测或怀疑等。
　　二、虚拟语气的基本形式及用法
　　根据比较传统的说法,虚拟语气的形式共有7种,即动词原形、动词的过去式、be的过去式用were、had+过去分词、时态助动词should+动词原形、时态助动词should+have+过去分词、时态助动词should(第一人称)和would(第二、三人称)+动词原形、时态助动词should(第一人称)和would(第二、三人称)+have+过去分词。这是国内外多数传统英语语法者所接受的“虚拟语气”7式。这7种形式的用法分别如下:
　　1.动词原形,用于一切人称和数。例:
　　Long live the Communist Party of China!
　　If that be so, we shall take action at once.
　　2.动词的过去式,用于一切人称和数,be的过去式用were。例:
　　If I were in your shoes, I’d accept the terms.
　　If there were no electricity, we should not be able to run the machine.
　　3.had+过去分词,用于一切人称和数。如:
　　If we had left earlier, we wouldn’t have missed the train.
　　If he had not been ill for two weeks, he would have made greatprogress.
　　4.时态助动词should+动词原形,用于一切人称和数。如:
　　They suggested that we should meet at the station.
　　If she should come to us, she would take part in our activities.
　　5.时态动词should +have+过去分词,用于一切人称和数。如:
　　It is strange that she should have done it.
　　If I had known his address, I should have told her.
　　6.时态助动词should(第一人称)和would(第二、三人称)+动词原形。如:
　　If he should repeat the mistake, he would be severely criticized.
　　If I were you ,I should take his advice.
　　7.时态助动词should(第一人称)和would(第二、三人称)+have+过去分词。如:
　　If father hadn’t sent me, I shouldn’t have come.
　　If I had time yesterday, I would have called her .
　　三、虚拟语气在非真实条件句中的用法
　　条件句有两类,即真实条件句(Sentences of Real Condition)和非真实条件句(Sentences of Unreal Condition)。为了更清楚起见,现将虚拟语气在非真实条件句的形式和用法列表如下:
　　下面分别举例说明:
　　If we left now ,we should arrive in good time.
　　If you had come a few minutes earlier, you would have seen him.
　　If he came tomorrow, I would ask him to go to the cinema.
　　If she should go away , I should be grieved.
　　If it were to rain tomorrow, I would not go out.
　　如果非真实条件从句的谓语含有联系动词were或助动词had、should,那么,连词If可以省略,而将谓语中的过去式were、had或should移到主语之前,构成倒装语序。如:
　　Should you change your mind, no one would blame you .
　　Had I not seen it myself ,I would never have believed.
　　非真实条件句如省去结果主句,则常表示一种不可能实现的愿望。这种条件句常用If (only)引导。如:
　　If I were in England now .
　　If at least it had some artistic merit!
　　虚拟语气用于evenif/though引导的让步状语从句时,主句用would/ should/ could/ might+动词原形。如:
　　Even if he were here ,I would not change my mind .
　　Even though I had known his address ,I might not have had time to write to him.
　　另外,非真实条件句中的条件从句除用if引导外,还可用when,unless,lest,suppose,as if, for fear,in case,on condition等词语来引导。如:
　　Suppose you were given a chance to study in America ,would you accept it?
　　He treated me as if I were a stranger .
　　四、虚拟语气的其他用法
　　1.用于主语从句。表示必须、重要、希望等形容词advisable, ppropriate,compulsory, crucial, desirable, essential, imperative, important, (im)proper, inevitable, mandatory, necessary, obligatory, preferable, requisite, urgent, vital之后。如:
　　It is necessary that he (should )be on time.
　　It is essential that a guard (should)be on duty at all hours.
　　上述形容词在动词believe, consider, find, think等之后用作宾语补足语,其后的宾语从句也需用虚拟语气原形形式。如:I think it advisable that he leave right now .
本文为全文原貌 未安装PDF浏览器用户请先下载安装 原版全文 　　2.用于宾语从句
　　(1)用作动词wish的宾语从句表示愿望,常省去连词that,这种从句的谓语动词若用过去式,表示与现在事实相反;若用过去完成式,表示与过去事实相反。如:
　　I wish I were at the beach now.
　　We wish you had come to our New Year’s party.
　　也可以用would sooner, would rather 等表示愿望,其宾语从句常用虚拟过去式。如: I’d rather you told me the truth.
　　I’d sooner you didn’t ask me to speak.
　　(2)用于表示命令、决定、要求、建议、提议、劝告、希望等的动词advise, ask, command, decide, decree, demand, desire, forbid, insist, interd, move, order, prefer, urge,propose, recommend, request, require, stipulate, suggest,arrantge之后作宾语,谓语动词用should +动词原形,用that引导。如:
　　The detective insisted that he should have a look .
　　They intended that the news (should )be suppressed.
　　有些动词think ,expect, believe, 其否定式的宾语从句也可用should +动词原形。如:I never thought he should refuse.She did not sxpect you should come .
　　此外,某些形容词或相当于形容词的过去分词的宾语that从句,其谓语是should+动词原形或should +have +过去分词。如:
　　I was glad that he should go .
　　I’m ashmed (that) you should have done such a thing .
　　3.用于表示命令、决定、要求、提议、建议、劝告、希望等名词advice, command ,decisison, decree, demand, desire, idea, instruction, motion, order, plan, propasal, request, recommendation, regulation, requirement, resolution, suggestion 等后面的表语从句和同位语从句,由that引导(可省去),其谓语是should+动词原形。如:
　　Our wish is (that) he should do what he pleases.
　　There was a suggestion that Brown should be dropped from the team.
　　4.用于定语从句中。如:
　　It’s high time we started.
　　A man might pass for insane who should see things as they are.
　　5.用介词短语without…或but for…表示假设条件。如:
　　Without your help ,I could not catch up with the others.
　　But for (=Without) you, I could not be recovered so soon.
　　6.虚拟语气用作请求。如:
　　If you were to help him,it would keep him safer.
　　If you enjoyed this book,just send your name and address and ten dollars.
　　五、总结
　　虚拟语气是英语语法中较为复杂多变的一个项目,为了取得较好的学习效果,我们应先接触语言现象,然后进行归纳总结,使复杂的问题清晰化、系统化。
　　参考文献:
　　[1]牛津实用英语语法.外语教学与研究出版社,牛津大学出版社.
　　[2]章振邦.新编英语语法.上海译文出版社.
　　[3]张道真.实用英语语法(第三次修订本).商务印书馆.
　　[4]薄冰.英语语法.开明出版社.
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