跳转到内容

第 4 章 · 动词系统:时态、语态、情态、语气

一句话:谓语动词通过“时态”说明时间、通过“语态”说明视角、通过“情态动词”说明态度、通过“语气”说明说话人把事情当作事实、命令还是假设。

这是英语语法最核心也最难的一章。四个维度可以叠加:The report might have been being written by then.(到那时,这份报告可能已在撰写之中。——情态 + 完成 + 进行 + 被动)——实际上很少全用,但理解叠加顺序有助于看懂任何谓语。

12 种时态

把 12 种时态拆成两个维度就好记了:

  • 时间(tense):过去 / 现在 / 将来 —— 事情发生在时间轴的哪个位置
  • 体(aspect):一般 / 进行 / 完成 / 完成进行 —— 说话人怎样看这件事(整体?正在进行?已完成?持续到某点?)
一般 进行 be + V-ing 完成 have + V-ed 完成进行 have been + V-ing
现在 do / does am/is/are doing have/has done have/has been doing
过去 did was/were doing had done had been doing
将来 will do will be doing will have done will have been doing

(本章 V-ed 兼指规则动词的 -ed 形式和不规则动词的过去分词。)

学术说明:Huddleston & Pullum 指出英语只有现在和过去两个屈折时态,will 是情态动词。教学上说“12 种时态”是为了方便,本资料沿用。

🔑 记忆:谓语的助动词永远按 情态 → have(完成)→ be(进行)→ be(被动)→ 实义动词 排队,每个助动词决定后一个词的形态:情态 → 原形,have → 过去分词,be(进行) → -ing,be(被动) → 过去分词。might | have | been | being | written。

形式:V / V-s(第三人称单数加 -s/-es)

用法 例句
习惯、经常性动作(常配 always, usually, often, every day) I get up at six.(我六点起床。)
客观事实、真理 Water boils at 100°C.(水在 100°C 沸腾。)
现在的状态、感受、看法(静态动词) She likes jazz. I think so.(她喜欢爵士乐。我认为是这样。)
时刻表、日程(按计划将来发生) The train leaves at 9:30.(火车 9:30 出发。)
时间/条件状语从句中表将来 I’ll call you when I arrive. If it rains, we’ll stay.(我到了就给你打电话。如果下雨,我们就留下。)
剧情、新闻标题、现场解说 Then the hero dies. Messi shoots and scores!(然后主角死了。梅西射门,进了!)

形式:V-ed(不规则动词见附录)

用法 例句
过去某时发生、已结束的动作(常配 yesterday, last week, in 2010, ago) I met her in 2010.(我 2010 年认识了她。)
过去的习惯(常配 often 等频度词;也可改用 used to / would,见下) We often played here as kids.(我们小时候常在这里玩。)
一连串过去的动作 He came in, sat down and began to read.(他走进来,坐下,开始读书。)
礼貌、委婉(形式过去,意义现在) I wondered if you could help.(不知您能否帮个忙。)
  • used to 过去常常(现已不再):I used to smoke.(我过去常抽烟。)
  • would 过去反复的动作(不能用于状态):Every summer we would go to the beach.(每年夏天我们都会去海边。——✗ We would live in Paris)
形式 侧重 例句
will + V 预测;临时决定;意愿、承诺 It will rain tomorrow. I’ll help you.(明天会下雨。我来帮你。)
be going to + V 已有打算;有迹象即将发生 I’m going to study abroad. Look at the clouds—it’s going to rain.(我打算出国留学。看那些云——要下雨了。)
be + V-ing(现在进行) 已安排好的计划(有时间地点) I’m meeting Tom at 6.(我 6 点要和汤姆见面。)
一般现在 时刻表 The plane takes off at 8.(飞机 8 点起飞。)
be about to / be to 即将 / 按计划、安排;正式的命令或要求 The show is about to start. You are to report at 9.(演出即将开始。你须在 9 点报到。)
shall 第一人称,正式或征求意见 Shall we go?(我们走吧?)

🔑 记忆:看“决定的时间”——说话时才决定 → will;说话前已决定或已有迹象 → be going to;已敲定时间地点 → be doing;固定时刻表 → 一般现在。

形式:am / is / are + V-ing

用法 例句
此刻正在进行 She is talking on the phone.(她正在打电话。)
现阶段在做(不一定此刻) I am reading a novel by Dickens.(我最近在读一本狄更斯的小说。)
已确定的近期计划 We are leaving tomorrow.(我们明天就走。)
反复发生、带情绪(配 always) He is always complaining.(他总是在抱怨。)
变化中的趋势 Prices are rising.(物价正在上涨。)

不用进行时的静态动词:know, believe, understand, remember, want, need, like, love, hate, belong, own, contain, seem, exist。注意:I’m loving it(我就喜欢)是刻意的口语/广告用法。have 表“拥有”不用进行时,表“经历/吃”可以:I’m having lunch.(我正在吃午饭。)

-ing 拼写:make → making;sit → sitting;lie → lying;die → dying;see → seeing。

形式:was / were + V-ing

  • 过去某一刻正在进行:At 8 last night I was watching TV.(昨晚 8 点我正在看电视。)
  • 作背景,被另一动作打断:I was walking home when it started to rain.(我正走回家时,开始下雨了。——长动作用进行,短动作用一般过去)
  • 两个同时进行:While I was cooking, he was reading.(我做饭的时候,他在看书。)

形式:will be + V-ing。将来某一刻正在进行:This time tomorrow I will be flying to Paris.(明天这个时候我将正在飞往巴黎。)也用于委婉询问计划:Will you be using the car tonight?(你今晚会用车吗?)

形式:have / has + V-ed(过去分词)

核心含义:过去发生,但和现在有关系。 三种典型情况:

情况 说明 例句 常见搭配
已完成,有现在结果 强调“现在怎样了” I have lost my key.(我把钥匙弄丢了。——现在没钥匙) already, just, yet, ever, never, recently
持续到现在 从过去开始一直到现在 I have lived here for 10 years.(我在这里已经住了 10 年了。) for + 时段,since + 时点,so far, up to now
经历 到现在为止做过没做过 Have you ever been to Japan?(你去过日本吗?) ever, never, before, once, twice, … times

与一般过去时的关键区别:

一般过去 现在完成
关心“过去发生了什么”,与现在无关 关心“对现在有什么影响”
可以带明确的过去时间(yesterday, in 2010, ago) 不能带已结束的过去时间(yesterday, in 2010, ago, last week);包含现在的时间(today, this week, recently)可以
I saw the film last week.(我上周看了这部电影。) I have seen the film.(我已经看过这部电影了。——所以现在知道剧情)
He lived here for ten years.(他在这里住过十年。——现在不住了) He has lived here for ten years.(他在这里已经住了十年了。——现在还住)

🔑 记忆:问“现在怎样了”→ 现在完成;问“那时发生了什么”→ 一般过去。句中出现已结束的过去时间(yesterday / ago / in 2010 / last…)一律一般过去。for / since 只跟能持续的状态或动作(be dead, have, live, know)。

瞬间动词与 for/since:die, come, go, leave, buy, join, begin 等瞬间动词的肯定式完成时不能与表时段的 for/since 连用——否定式可以:He hasn’t left since Monday.(他从周一起就没离开过。)肯定式:He has died for two years. ✗ → He has been dead for two years.(他已经去世两年了。) / He died two years ago.(他两年前去世了。) / It is two years since he died.(他去世已有两年了。)

have been to / have gone to / have been in:

  • He has been to Paris.(他去过巴黎。——已回来)
  • He has gone to Paris.(他去巴黎了。——还没回)
  • He has been in Paris for a week.(他在巴黎已经待了一周。)

形式:had + V-ed。“过去的过去”——必须有一个过去的参照点。

  • When I arrived, the train had left.(我到达时,火车已经开走了。——到达是过去,火车离开更早)
  • By 2010 he had written three books.(到 2010 年,他已经写了三本书。)
  • 常用于:间接引语:He said he had seen it.(他说他已经看过了。);虚拟条件句 3 型;It was the first time I had ever flown.(那是我第一次坐飞机。);hardly … when / no sooner … than。

如果两个动作按先后顺序用 before / after 连接,顺序已经清楚,可以都用一般过去:He left after he finished.(他做完之后就走了。)

形式:will have + V-ed。到将来某点为止已完成:By next June I will have graduated.(到明年六月,我就已经毕业了。)常配 by + 将来时间。

现在完成进行时 Present Perfect Progressive

Section titled “现在完成进行时 Present Perfect Progressive”

形式:have / has been + V-ing。从过去开始,一直持续到现在,强调动作本身的持续(可能仍在进行,或刚停)。

  • I have been waiting for two hours.(我已经等了两个小时了。——还在等)
  • It has been raining all day.(雨下了一整天了。)
  • You look tired. — Yes, I have been working.(你看起来很累。——是啊,我一直在工作。刚停,看到结果)

与现在完成的差别:I have read the book.(读完了)vs I have been reading the book.(一直在读,没读完)。持续性动词(live, work, study, teach)两者差别很小。

过去完成进行时 / 将来完成进行时

Section titled “过去完成进行时 / 将来完成进行时”
  • had been + V-ing:到过去某点为止一直在做:She had been teaching for 20 years when she retired.(她退休时已经教了 20 年书了。)
  • will have been + V-ing:到将来某点为止一直在做:By June I will have been working here for ten years.(到六月,我就在这里工作满十年了。——少用)

🔑 记忆:主过从过,真理例外(主句过去时,从句退回过去范围;客观真理及仍成立的事实不退)。

  • 主句为过去时,宾语从句通常也用过去范围内的时态(见 7.2 间接引语);客观真理以及说话时仍然成立的情况可不退。
  • 时间/条件/让步状语从句中,用一般现在代替将来,用现在完成代替将来完成:When you have finished, call me.(你做完后给我打电话。)
  • 常见时间状语与时态的配对:
时间状语 典型时态
every day, usually, often 一般现在
now, at the moment, Look! Listen! 现在进行
yesterday, last…, …ago, in 1990, just now 一般过去
already, yet, just, ever, never, since…, for…, so far 现在完成
by the time…, before…(过去) 过去完成
tomorrow, next…, in two days 一般将来
by + 将来时间 将来完成

被动语态

be + 过去分词,be 随时态、人称、数变化。施动者可用 by 引出(常省略)。

时态 主动 被动
一般现在 writes is written
一般过去 wrote was written
一般将来 will write will be written
现在进行 is writing is being written
过去进行 was writing was being written
现在完成 has written has been written
过去完成 had written had been written
将来完成 will have written will have been written
情态 can write can be written
情态完成 should have written should have been written
不定式 to write to be written
动名词 writing being written

(将来进行、完成进行的被动理论上存在,实际几乎不用。)

🔑 记忆:两步变被动——① 把主动句谓语里的实义动词换成 be,保留原来的时态和情态(has written → has been);② 把实义动词变过去分词接在后面(→ has been written)。

  1. 不知道或不必说出施动者:My bike was stolen.(我的自行车被偷了。)
  2. 施动者显而易见:He was arrested.(他被逮捕了。——当然是警察)
  3. 强调承受者:The bridge was built in 1932.(这座桥建于 1932 年。)
  4. 客观正式的语体:The samples were heated to 90°C.(样品被加热至 90°C。)
  5. 避免句子头重脚轻,或保持主语一致。
  • 双宾语的被动:两个宾语都可以做主语:He gave me a book.(他给了我一本书。) → I was given a book.(我得到了一本书。) / A book was given to me.(一本书被送给了我。)
  • 宾补的被动:宾补留在原位:They made him captain.(他们让他当队长。) → He was made captain.(他被任命为队长。)
  • 不带 to 的不定式作宾补,被动时加 to:They made me wait.(他们让我等着。) → I was made to wait.(我被迫等着。——see/hear/watch/make/help 等)。let 一般不用被动,改用 be allowed to:I was allowed to go.(我获准离开。)
  • 短语动词整体被动:The meeting was put off. The baby is being looked after.(会议被推迟了。婴儿正被人照看着。——介词不能丢)
  • get + 过去分词:口语,强调变化/意外:He got hurt. I got fired.(他受伤了。我被解雇了。)
  • 主动形式表被动:某些及物动词用作不及物(中动结构),描述主语本身的特性:The book sells well. The cloth washes easily. The door won’t open.(这本书很畅销。这布料很好洗。这门打不开。)
  • need / want / require + doing(主动形式表被动):The car needs washing.(这车需要洗了。) = needs to be washed
  • be worth doing:The film is worth seeing.(这部电影值得一看。)
  • 不能变被动:不及物动词(happen, occur, take place, belong to, appear, die);have(拥有), cost, lack, fit, suit, resemble, weigh(有…重)等关系动词;反身代词或相互代词做宾语。
  • 感官系动词本身用主动形式表“被感知”(taste, smell, feel, look, sound),不能变被动:The soup tastes good.(这汤很好喝。)✗ is tasted

The window was broken by a boy with a stone.(窗户被一个男孩用石头打破了。)—— by 引出施动者,with 引出工具。

情态动词

  1. 后接动词原形:can go, must be
  2. 无人称、数的变化:he can(✗ he cans)
  3. 否定直接加 not:cannot / can’t, must not, should not
  4. 疑问直接提前:Can you swim?(你会游泳吗?)
  5. 不能两个连用:will can ✗ → will be able to
  6. 表对过去的推测/评价:情态动词 + have + 过去分词

每个情态动词大致有两类意义:道义意义(能力、许可、义务)与认识意义(推测、可能性)。

情态动词 道义意义 认识意义(推测) 过去/其他形式
can 能力(I can swim 我会游泳);许可(Can I go? 我可以走了吗?);请求 理论可能性(Anyone can make mistakes 任何人都可能犯错);否定推测 can’t“不可能” could / was able to(成功做到某一具体事)
could 过去的能力;更礼貌的请求(Could you help? 您能帮个忙吗?) 较小可能性(It could rain 可能会下雨) could have done:本可以(却没)
may 正式许可(May I come in? 我可以进来吗?);祝愿(May you succeed! 祝你成功!) 可能,约 50%(He may be at home 他可能在家) may have done:可能已经
might 更礼貌/委婉 可能性更小 might have done:可能已经 / 本可以
must 必须(说话人的主观要求);mustn’t 禁止 一定(很有把握的推断);否定用 can’t must have done:一定已经;“必须”的过去用 had to
have to 必须(客观需要);don’t have to 不必 (口语)一定:That has to be Tom.(那准是汤姆。) had to;will have to
should 应该(建议、义务);shouldn’t 不该 应该会(合理预期:He should be home by now 他现在应该到家了) should have done:本应该(却没)
ought to 应该(比 should 稍正式) 同 should ought to have done
will 意愿、承诺(I’ll help 我来帮忙);习惯(He will sit there for hours 他总会在那儿坐上好几个小时) 预测(It will rain 会下雨);确定的推断(That will be Tom 那准是汤姆) —
would 过去习惯;礼貌请求(Would you…?);意愿 假设(虚拟) would have done:本会(虚拟)
shall 第一人称将来(正式);征求意见(Shall we…?);法律条文中的“应” — —
need(情态用法) 需要,多用于否定/疑问:You needn’t go. Need I go?(你不必去。我需要去吗?) — needn’t have done:本不必(却做了)
dare(情态用法) 敢,多用于否定/疑问:How dare you!(你好大的胆子!) — —
used to 过去常常(现已不再) — 否定 didn’t use to(常用)/ used not to(正式、较旧)

🔑 记忆:推测把握——must 一定 · will 准是 · should 应该会 · may 可能 · might/could 也许;否定推测一律 can’t。

易混 A 易混 B
mustn’t 禁止 vs don’t have to / needn’t 不必
must be 一定是 vs can’t be 不可能是(不说 mustn’t be——英式不用 mustn’t 表“不可能”;美式可说 He must not be home;can’t 两种变体通用)
could 过去有能力 vs was able to 过去成功做到了某件具体的事(否定式 couldn’t / wasn’t able to 两者通用)

情态动词 + have done(对过去的态度)

Section titled “情态动词 + have done(对过去的态度)”
结构 含义 例句
must have done 一定做了(推断) The ground is wet. It must have rained.(地面是湿的。一定是下过雨了。)
can’t / couldn’t have done 不可能做了 He can’t have finished so soon.(他不可能这么快就做完了。)
may / might have done 可能做了 She may have missed the train.(她可能没赶上火车。)
could have done 本可以(却没做)/ 可能做了 You could have told me!(你本可以告诉我的!)
should / ought to have done 本应该(却没做) You should have seen a doctor.(你本应该去看医生的。)
shouldn’t have done 本不该(却做了) You shouldn’t have said that.(你本不该说那话的。)
needn’t have done 本不必(却做了) You needn’t have hurried.(你本不必这么赶的。)
would have done 本会(虚拟) I would have come if I’d known.(要是我早知道,我就会来了。)

🔑 记忆:have done 只把时间推回过去,情态的态度不变——must have 一定已 · can’t have 不可能已 · may/might have 也许已 · could have 本可以(没)· should have 本应该(没)· shouldn’t have 本不该(却)· needn’t have 本不必(却)· would have 本会(虚拟)。

4.6 语气 Mood:陈述、祈使、虚拟

Section titled “4.6 语气 Mood:陈述、祈使、虚拟”
  • 陈述语气:把事情当事实说:He is here.(他在这儿。)
  • 祈使语气:命令、请求:Be quiet.(安静。——见 2.4 祈使句)
  • 虚拟语气:表示假设、愿望、建议,动词形式不与实际时间对应。

英语虚拟语气有三种形态(Quirk 等 1985 的分类:mandative / formulaic / were-subjunctive),教学上常合称“虚拟语气”。Huddleston & Pullum 只把动词原形式称为 subjunctive,把 were 称为 irrealis,其余“退一格”的过去式视为过去时的非现实用法。

1. were-虚拟(非真实条件、愿望)

严格说只有 were 是独立的虚拟形式,其余是过去式 / 过去完成式的“非现实”用法,教学上统称“退一格”。if 从句与 wish 等结构中,用过去形式表现在、过去完成形式表过去,即“动词往过去退一格”。详见 7.1 条件句。

时间 从句 / wish 后 主句
与现在相反 一般过去(be 用 were) would / could / might + 原形
与过去相反 had + 过去分词 would / could / might + have + 过去分词
与将来相反(可能性小) 一般过去 / should + 原形 / were to + 原形 would + 原形
  • If I were you, I would accept.(如果我是你,我就会接受。)
  • I wish I were taller.(我要是再高一点就好了。) / I wish I had studied harder.(我当初要是更用功就好了。) / I wish you would stop smoking.(我希望你能把烟戒了。)
  • would rather + 从句:I’d rather you came tomorrow.(我宁愿你明天来。)
  • as if / as though:He talks as if he knew everything.(他说起话来好像什么都知道似的。——说话人认为并非如此;若认为可能属实,则用陈述语气:as if he knows)
  • It’s (high) time + 过去式:It’s time we left.(我们该走了。)
  • if only:If only I had known!(我当时要是知道就好了!)

2. 动词原形虚拟(建议、命令、要求)—— mandative subjunctive

表示建议、命令、要求、坚持的动词/名词/形容词后的 that 从句,用动词原形(美式标准形式:that he go)或 should + 原形(英式更常用);英式口语中也可用陈述式(that he goes / went)。

  • 动词:suggest, propose, recommend, advise, demand, require, request, order, command, insist, urge, ask
    • I suggest that he (should) go at once.(我建议他马上去。)
    • They demanded that the law be changed.(他们要求修改这项法律。)
  • 名词:suggestion, proposal, demand, requirement, order, recommendation
    • His suggestion that we (should) leave was accepted.(他提出我们离开的建议被采纳了。)
  • 形容词(It is + adj + that):important, necessary, essential, vital, desirable, imperative, advisable
    • It is essential that everyone (should) be present.(每个人都必须出席。)

注意:strange, natural, surprising, odd 等评价性形容词后的 should 是“情感 should”(putative should),只能用 should,不能省成原形:It’s strange that he should say so.(他竟然这么说,真奇怪。)

🔑 记忆:接 (should) 原形的动词——“一坚持、二命令、三建议、四要求”:insist | order, command | suggest, propose, recommend, advise | demand, require, request, ask, urge。

注意:insist 表“坚持说(事实)”、suggest 表“表明”时用陈述语气:He insisted that he was innocent. The evidence suggests that he is lying.(他坚持说自己是无辜的。证据表明他在撒谎。)

3. 固定套语虚拟

God bless you! Long live the King! So be it. Heaven forbid!(上帝保佑你!国王万岁!就这样吧。但愿不会!)

结构 例句
if 非真实条件 If I had wings, I would fly.(要是我有翅膀,我就会飞。)
wish / if only I wish it were Sunday.(今天要是星期天就好了。)
would rather (that) I’d rather you didn’t smoke.(我宁愿你不抽烟。)
as if / as though She acts as if she owned the place.(她表现得好像这地方是她的一样。)
It’s time (that) It’s time you went to bed.(你该睡觉了。)
suggest / demand … that (should) V He insisted that she (should) stay.(他坚持要她留下。)
It is important / necessary that (should) V It’s vital that he (should) know.(他必须知道这件事。)
lest + (should) 原形 He ran lest he (should) be late.(他跑了起来,以免迟到。)
in case / for fear that + 一般现在 或 should/might + 原形 Take an umbrella in case it rains / should rain.(带把伞,以防下雨。)
without / but for + 名词(暗含条件) But for your help, I would have failed.(要不是你帮忙,我早就失败了。)
otherwise / or(暗含条件) I was busy; otherwise I would have come.(我当时很忙;否则我就来了。)

🔑 记忆:虚拟三问——① 与哪个时间相反?现在 → 过去式(be 用 were);过去 → had done。② 主句永远 would/could/might,与过去相反再加 have done。③ wish / would rather / as if / It’s time / if only 后只有从句部分,照①退一格。

错误 正确 原因
I have seen him yesterday. I saw him yesterday.(我昨天见到他了。) 现在完成不与明确过去时间连用
He has died for two years. He has been dead for two years.(他已经去世两年了。) 瞬间动词肯定式不与时段连用
When I will arrive, I’ll call. When I arrive, I’ll call.(我到了就打电话。) 时间从句用现在表将来
I am knowing the answer. I know the answer.(我知道答案。) 静态动词不用进行
The accident was happened. The accident happened.(事故发生了。) 不及物动词无被动
He was made wait. He was made to wait.(他被迫等着。) 被动中不定式补回 to
You mustn’t come if you don’t want to. You don’t have to come…(你不必来……) mustn’t 是禁止
He mustn’t be at home. He can’t be at home.(他不可能在家。) 否定推测用 can’t(英式;美式 must not 可)
I suggested that he went. I suggested that he (should) go.(我建议他去。) 建议类从句用 (should +) 原形;英式口语陈述式 went 也可接受,但正式 / 美式文体避免
If I was you… If I were you… 虚拟中 be 用 were(口语 was 可接受但正式写作用 were)
I will can do it. I will be able to do it.(我将能够做到。) 情态动词不连用
时态 = 时间(过去/现在/将来) × 体(一般/进行 be+ing/完成 have+ed/完成进行 have been+ing)
一般现在 习惯·事实·时刻表·时间条件从句中表将来
现在进行 此刻·近期计划·always 抱怨 静态动词不用
一般过去 过去某时完结,可带 yesterday/ago used to / would 过去习惯
现在完成 过去发生、影响现在;不带过去时间点;瞬间动词肯定式不接 for/since
过去完成 过去的过去,需要参照点
将来 will 预测/临时决定 be going to 打算/迹象 be doing 已安排 一般现在 时刻表
被动 = be(随时态变) + 过去分词 (+ by 施动者) 不及物动词、have/cost/resemble 类关系动词无被动
双宾语两种被动;宾补留原位;make/see sb do → be made/seen to do
need doing = need to be done;sell well 主动表被动
情态 = 情态动词 + 原形;无变化;否定加 not;+ have done 谈过去
推测把握:might/could < may < should < will < must;否定推测 can't(will = 有把握的预测,must = 据证据推断,两者都接近 100%)
义务:must/have to > should/ought to > (无义务) needn't/don't have to;禁止:mustn't/can't;许可:may/can
mustn't 禁止 ≠ don't have to 不必
虚拟 = 动词往过去退一格
与现在相反:if 过去式(were) → would 原形 与过去相反:if had done → would have done
wish / would rather / as if / It's time / if only 同理
建议命令类 suggest/demand/insist/It is necessary that + (should) 原形