摘要: 多詞動詞是固定的詞組,是較為特殊的語言現象,在形式上是固定的,在意義上是整體的。多詞動詞在語法結構和含義上都可能會使初學者產生疑惑,如果望文生義,就有可能會鬧出笑話。本文對多詞動詞的構成和用法作了分析。
關鍵詞: 多詞動詞構成用法
語言學家McCathy(1990)指出,不管一個人的語法學得多好,不管他的語音有多動聽,如果他沒有足夠的詞匯表達自己的感情并理解對方的觀點和想法,就無法用這門語言同別人交流。可見詞匯在外語教學中起著非常重要的作用,然而中學生在英語詞匯學習過程中會碰到許多的多詞動詞,這使學生的英語學習存在一定的難度。語法學家R.Quirk于1985年首次提出了多詞動詞的概念,英語的多詞動詞具體表現為“動詞+介詞”、“動詞+副詞小品詞”、“動詞+副詞小品詞+介詞”等固定搭配詞組。一般詞組和語句應根據具體的需要臨時組合而成,而多詞動詞是固定的詞組,是較為特殊的語言現象,在形式上是固定的,在意義上是整體的,同一種搭配往往表示多種意義,如:
The school has set up a special class to help poor readers.
學校為閱讀能力差的學生設立了特殊的課。
Let’s set up the tent first,and build the fire later.
讓我們先把帳篷搭起來再生火。
The wet weather sets up the ache in my old wound.
潮濕的天氣引起了我舊傷的疼痛。
I didn’t want to set up as better than anyone else.
我不想自認為比其他任何人優秀。
從上面的例子里我們可以看到,多詞動詞在語法結構和含義上都可能會使初學者產生疑惑,如果望文生義,有可能會鬧出笑話。下面,我歸納和分析了英語多詞動詞在中學階段的幾種常用類型和用法。
1.二詞詞組
1.1及物動詞+副詞
Have you picked out the movie you want to see?
你選好了想看的電影了嗎?
He took off his coat after entering the house.
進屋之后他脫掉了外套。
The students are giving out the leaflets in the street.
學生正在街上分發傳單。
“及物動詞+副詞”構成的多詞動詞都可用于被動語態。如:
Mary and John took out a marriage license.
A marriage was taken out by Mary and John.
瑪麗和約翰領取了結婚證。
The flowers gave off a sweet fragrance.
A sweet fragrance was given off by the flowers.
這些花散發出甜甜的香味。
該類動詞的賓語可放在詞組后,也可放在動詞與副詞之間。如:
He phoned me and called off the appointment.
He phoned me and called the appointment off.
他打電話給我取消了約會。
若賓語是代詞,則放在動詞與副詞之間。如:
We were going to give a dance,but decided to called it off.
我們本來準備要跳舞的,后來決定取消了。
1.2不及物動詞+副詞
Tom ran away from school to play computer games that afternoon.
湯姆那天下午逃學去玩電腦游戲了。
She was going to lie down for a while after lunch,she said.
她說午飯后她想躺一會。
有些“動詞+副詞”的詞組既可作為及物動詞,又可以作為不及物動詞。如:
The news cheered him up.
那條消息讓他高興了起來。
On hearing the good news,everyone cheered up.
聽到這個好消息,每個人都受到鼓舞。
1.3不及物動詞+介詞
Don’t you worry.I can look after myself.
你別擔心,我能自己照顧自己的。
It’s impolite to laugh at the person who is in trouble.
嘲笑一個陷入困境的人是不禮貌的。
This soup consists of tomatoes,meat and peas.
這湯里有西紅柿,肉和豌豆。
此類“不及物動詞+介詞”所構成的多詞動詞,相當于一個及物動詞,其后接名詞或代詞擔任賓語。如:
I’ve looked for my mobile phone everywhere in the room,but I can’t find it.
I can’t find my mobile phone though I’ve looked for it everywhere in the room.
我找遍了房里所有的地方,但沒有發現我的手機。
He glanced at the envelope and recognized his uncle’s handwriting.
他看了一下信封認出了是他叔叔的筆跡。
此類動詞大多可變換成被動語態。變換時需將短語動詞看做不可分割的整體。如:
I wish he would arrive at some conclusion.
I wish some conclusion would be arrived at by him.
我希望他能得出一些結論。
You can’t rely on his assistance.
His assistance can’t be relied on.
你無法指望他的幫助。
1.4動詞+名詞
What took place last night?
昨晚發生了什么事?
You must take action right now.
你必須立刻采取行動。
此類動詞有時也可作被動語態。如:
I don’t think the point had ever been made before.
我認為這個觀點以前沒有被提出過。
2.三詞詞組
2.1不及物動詞+副詞+介詞
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
我期待著收到你的來信。
He can’t catch up with his classmates.
他跟不上他的同學。
I’ve run out of money.
我的錢用完了。
該結構的動詞大多可構成被動語態。如:
We must keep this material away from fire.
This material must be kept away from fire.
我們得讓這種材料遠離火源。
2.2動詞+名詞+介詞
I took care of his dog when Mr.Smith was on holiday.
斯密斯先生度假的時候我替他照料他的狗。
Most of the students took part in the sports meeting last week.
上個星期大多數學生參加了運動會。
Can you take charge of this class please,Miss Lee?
李老師,請問你能負責管理這個班級嗎?
It’s impolite to play tricks onothers.
捉弄別人是不禮貌的。
此結構的多詞動詞,其被動語態可以有兩種形式。如:
People paid much attention to the report.
The report was paid much attention to.
Much attention was paid to the report.
人們很關注這個報道。
在該詞組的名詞前,可用形容詞作定語。如:
We mus tpay great attention to our English pronunciation.
我們必須很注意英語語音。
We must make full/good use of solar energy.
我們必須充分利用太陽能。
3.四詞詞組
動詞+賓語+介詞+名詞。
Your teacher will take your recent illness into consideration when judging your examination.
在判斷你成績時,你的老師會考慮你最近的病情的。
The clouds suddenly divided,bringing the sun into view at last.
云開日出。
該類動詞除賓語外,其余為固定搭配,并可構成被動語態。如:
How much time will we need to get to the lake?You have to take the bad roadinto account.
The bad road has to be taken into account.
我們需要多少時間到達湖邊?你得把路不好走這個情況考慮進去。
在平時的英語學習中,多詞動詞的用法較靈活,這里所介紹的只是有代表性的幾種。在提高這些詞匯的應用水平上沒有捷徑可走,但學生可以通過歸納、理解、記憶、應用理解詞匯的內涵,欣賞語言的魅力,掌握詞匯的應用技巧。
參考文獻:
[1]現代英語用法辭典.