英語中有些動詞后面的賓語從句或某些主語從句的謂語動詞,常用虛擬語氣——“(should)十動詞原形”。這些動詞要逐個記憶是比較困難的,下面介紹幾個巧記方法:
1.“一、二、三、四”法。即:一個堅持,兩個命令,三個建議,四個要求。
一個“堅持(insist)”:
The doctor insisted that I(should)give up smoking. 醫生堅持要我戒煙。
兩個“命令(order,command)”:
The general ordered that the enemy soldiers (should)lay down their arms.將軍命令敵兵放下武器。
He commanded that all his men(should)get to the front before darkness.他命令部下天黑前趕到前線。
三個“建議(suggest,propose,advise)”:
The headmaster suggested that we (should)make better use of our spare time.
校長建議我們更好地利用業余時間。
The teacher proposed that John(should) get down to his study.老師建議約翰靜下心來好好學習。
They advised that steps(should)be taken at once.他們建議馬上采取措施。
四個“要求(demand, require, request, ask)”:
The teacher demanded that the students(should)hand in the paper before eleven.
老師要求學生11點前交卷。
Father requires that his son (should) not make such noise in the room.爸爸要求孩子別在屋里大嚷。
The workers requested that the working conditions (should) be further improved.
工人們要求進一步改善工作條件。
She asks that he (should) be given an opportunity to try this method.他要求給他一個機會試驗這辦法。
2.“Discrop(無收獲)”法。由這個詞的每一個字母聯想一個詞或兩個詞: demand, insist, suggest, command, request,require, order, propose.
3.用句聯想法。由句子“I drop cars”的每一個字母聯想一個或兩個動詞:insist, demand, request, order, propose, command, advise,ask, require, suggest.
注意:這三種方法只是幫助記憶的一些方法。其實,除這十個動詞外,還有些動詞,如remember, prefer等后面的賓語從句也常用虛擬語氣。就是上面列的十個動詞后也不一定非用虛擬語氣不可,在口語中不用虛擬語氣的情況也是有的。如:
He insisted that Shanghai is still the biggest part in China.(賓語從句表示的是十分確定的事實)。
His accent suggests that he is from Shandong. (suggest不當“建議”講,而是作“暗示”。)
Tom insisted that he didn’t go there last night. (insist不當“堅持認為”講 ,而是當“堅持說”。)