一、概说
时态是英语中一个重要的语法范畴,它表示不同时间发生的动作或存在的状态以及动作发生或存在的方式。动作发生的时间可分为现在、过去、将来和过去将来四种形式,动作发生的方式可分为一般、完成、进行和完成进行四种形式。将这时间形式和动作方式结合起来,就构成了以下16种时态形式(以do为例):
|
一 般 |
完 成 |
进 行 |
完 成 进 行 |
现 在 |
现在一般时 do |
现在完成时 have done |
现在进行时 is doing |
现在完成进行时 have been doing |
过 去 |
过去一般时 did |
过去完成时 had done |
过去进行时 was doing |
过去完成进行时 had been doing |
将 来 |
将来一般时 will do |
将来完成时 will have done |
将来进行时 will be doing |
将来完成进行时 will have been doing |
过去将来 |
过去将来一般时 would do |
过去将来完成时 would have done |
过去将来进行时 would be doing |
过去将来完成进行时 would have been doing |
注:构成时态的助动词be (is, am, are), have (has, have), shall, will 等需根据主语的变化来选择。
在这16种时态中,其中有8种时态是最重要的,也是用得最多的,它们是一般现在时(也称一般现在时)、一般过去时(也称一般过去时)、一般将来时(也称一般将来时)、现在进行时、现在完成时、过去进行时、过去完成时、过去将来一般时(也称过去将来时),其余的时态相对用得较少。本章重点介绍8种基本时态的用法,同时也简单介绍另外8种时态的用法。
二、一般现在时
1. 一般现在时表现在
(1) 表示现在经常性或习惯性的动作:
My sister wears glasses. 我妹妹戴眼镜。
He often goes to the cinema. 他经常去看电影。
注:询问某人的习惯时,有时还可用ever:
"Do you ever eat meat?" "No, I never eat meat." “你吃肉吗?”“从不吃肉。”
(2) 表示现在(或经常性)的情况或状态:
Mother is ill. 母亲病了。
He is always like that. 他总是那样。
He likes living in the country. 他喜欢住在乡下。
We need a lot of money. 我们需要一大笔钱。
(3) 表示现在的能力、特征、职业等:
He sings well. 他唱歌唱得好。
Mr. Smith teaches French. 史密斯先生教法语。
(4) 表示客观真理、科学事实、格言以及不受时间限制的客观存在:
Summer follows spring. 春去夏来。
Knowledge is power. 知识就是力量。
The earth turns around the sun. 地球绕着太阳转。
2. 一般现在时表将来
(1) 当主句为将来时态或表示将来意义时,时间和条件的状语从句必须用一般现在时表将来:
I’ll write to her when I have time. 我有空会给她写信。
Turn off the lights before you leave. 走前关灯。
If we hurry,we may catch the bus. 如果我们赶紧走我们可能赶得上公共汽车。
Tell me in case you get into difficulty. 遇到困难请告诉我。
注:① 除表示时间和条件的状语从句外,表示让步、相似、比例的从句也必须用一般现在时表示将来:
I’ll follow him wherever he goes. 他去哪儿,我就跟着去哪儿。
Whatever you say, I won’t pay. 无论你说什么,我都不会付钱。
Whether we help him or not, he will fail. 无论我们帮他与否,他都会失败。
‘ll have a good time whether I win or lose. 赢也好,输也好,我都将会玩好。
The more you eat, the fatter you will become. 你吃得越多就会越胖。
② 另外,当主句为用将来时态时,定语从句也通常用一般现在时表将来:
I’ll give you anything you ask for. 你要什么我都给你。
You can have anything I find. 我找到的任何东西你都可以拿去。
Everyone who comes first will get a present. 每个先来的人都可得到一份礼物。z
③ 按照英语习惯,一个句子中若主要动词已经表明了所谈论动作的时间,那么与之相关的其他动词就不必再次指明同一时间,而往往使用一个比较简单的时态,如用一般现在时表示一般将来时等。比较:
This discovery means that we will spend less on food.这一发现意味着我们将减少在食品上的花费。
This discovery will mean that we spend less on food. 这一发现意味着我们将减少在食品上的花费。
(3) 在make sure(弄清楚),make certain(弄清楚),take care(注意,当心),be careful(注意,当心),mind(注意),watch(注意)等后的that从句中通常也只用一般现在时表示将来意义:mind, take care, make sure, take care, be careful, watch等:
Take care that it does not occur again. 注意别再发生这样的事。
We must take care that no one sees us. 我们必须注意别让人看见我们。
Make sure you come back soon. 你要保证快点回来。
Be careful that you don’t hurt her feelings. 当心别伤了她的感情。
Watch that the baby doesn’t go near the heater. 注意别让宝宝接近加热器。
Mind you read the examination questions carefully before you begin to answer them. 在答题前要注意仔细阅读考题。
注:在it doesn’t matter, I don’t care, I don’t mind 等结构(以及类似结构)后的名词性从句也通常用一般现在表示将来意义:
It doesn’t matter where we go on holiday. 我们去哪儿度假都行。
Does it matter who goes first? 谁先去这有关系吗?
I don’t care whether we win or lose. 我不在乎我们是赢还是输。
Don’t you care what happens to them? 难道你不关心他们出什么事了?
(4) 在I hope , I bet, see (to it) 等后的宾语从句中通常用一般现在时表示将来意义,但有时也可直接用将来时态:+
I hope that you like [will like] it. 你希望你会喜欢它。
I bet it rains [will rain] tomorrow. 我打赌明天会下雨。
See (to it) that children don’t catch cold. 当心别让孩子感冒。
I’ll see that nobody disturbs [will disturb] you. 我将确保没人打扰你。
注:see (to it) 后的that从句通常用一般现在时表将来,直接用将来的情形较少见。
(5) 在as, than 引出的比较状语从句中可用一般现在时表示将来,也可直接用将来时态:
We’ll get there as soon as you do [will]. 你一到,我们就到。
We’ll probably drive faster than you do [will]. 我们开车很可能比你快。
(6) 表示按规定、时间表、计划或安排要发生的动作:
Are you on duty next weekend? 下周末你上班吗?
The train leaves at 12:00. 火车12点开出。
Where do we go now? 我们现在到哪里去?
注:用于此用法时,句中通常有具体的时间状语。
(7) 当主句为将来时态时,与之相关的by the time后接的从句要用一般现在时表示将来意义:
By the time he comes, I will have left. 等他到时,我会已离开了。
The film will have started by the time we get to the cinema.我们到电影院时电影会已经开始了。
(8) 表示现在将要宣布某事:
I declare the meeting open.
We learn Lesson Ten today. 今天我们学习第10课。
(9) 表示客观性很强的将来:
Today is Friday, so tomorrow is Saturday.
My birthday is on a Sunday this year.
注:有时说话者对某一事实非常肯定,也用一般现在时:
The future is bright. 前途是光明的。
Final victory is ours. 最后的胜利是我们的。
3. 一般现在时表过去
(1) 用于某些动词(tell, say, hear, learn, gather等)表示不确定的过去时间:
John tells me you will leave tomorrow. 约翰告诉我你明天离开。
I hear that he got married again last month. 我听说他上个月结婚了。
Mary says you told her to come over here. 玛丽说是你让她到这儿来的。
(2) 当要陈述一个客观事实时,有时即使有过去时间状语也可用一般现在时:
The story is set in the summer of 1937. 故事的背景是1937年夏天。
The story begins in the year 1937. 故事开始于1937年。
三、一般过去时
1. 一般过去时表示过去
(1) 表示过去发生的动作或存在的状态:
He bought the computer five years ago. 这电脑是他五年前买的。
It was then a small fishing village.那时它只是一个小渔村。
(2) 表示过去经常性或习惯性的动作:
We often played together when we were children.我们小时候常在一起玩。
注:表过去习惯性的动词,也可用used to或would(www.yygrammar.com):
He used to go to work by bus. 他过去常乘公共汽车去上班。
2. 一般过去时表示现在
(1) 在宾语从句中,由于时态呼应的关系,可用一般过去时表示现在:
I didn’t know you were here. 我不知道你在这儿。(were实际上指现在)
I didn’t know you were so busy.我没想到你这么忙。(were实际上指现在)
(2) 表示客气委婉的现在
I wondered if you were free this evening. 不知您今晚是否有空。
I thought you might like some flowers. 我想您也许想要些花。
注:能这样有的动词主要限于want, wonder, think, hope, intend等少数动词。
(3) 用于某些特殊结构中表示现在
It’s time we started. 我们该动身了。
I wish I knew his him. 要是我知道他的名字就好了。
I’d rather you lived closer to us. 我希望你能住得离我们近点。
注:该用法主要用于it’s time, I wish, I’d rather, if only, as if, as though 等少数结构后接从句的情形,其中有些结构后面的句子还可用一般过去时表示将来:
I’d rather you come next Monday. 我宁愿你下周星期一来。
另外表主观想法的虚拟条件句也用一般过去时表示现在:
If I had the money now I’d buy a car. 假若我现在有钱,我就买辆小汽车。
四、一般将来时
1. 基本用法及表示方法
一般将来时的基本用法是表示单纯的将来事实,由“will / shall + 动词原形”构成:
We shall have a lot of rain next month. 下个月将下很多雨。
I think she will pass the exam. 我想他考试会及格的。
2. 表示将来时间的几种常见方法
英语中除了“will /shall+动词原形”表示半来时态外,还可以有以下多种方法:
(1) 用“be going to+动词原形”表示。主要表示打算和预测:
We are not going to stay there long. 我们不准备在那里多待。(表打算)
I’m afraid they’re going to lose the game. 恐怕他们会赛输。(表预测)
Look, it’s going to rain. 瞧,要下雨了。(表预见)
注:be going to 后接动词go和come时,通常直接改用其进行时态:
Where is he going to go? / Where is he going? 他打算到哪里去?
(2) 用“be to+动词原形”表示。主要表示按计划或安排即将要发生的动作;有时也表示命令、禁止或可能性:
He is to leave for
Tell him he’s not to be back late. 告诉他不准迟回。
(3) 用“be about to+动词原形”表示。主要表示即将要发生的事:
He is about to leave. 他即将要离开。
Sit down, everyone. The film is about to start. 大家坐好,电影马上就要开发始了。
注:该结构通常不与具体的时间状语连用:
误:He is about to leave soon [tomorrow].
另外,该结构在美国英语中还可表示“打算”(主要用于否定句):
I’m not about to lend him any more money. 我不打算再借给他任何钱。
(4) 用“be due to+动词原形”表示。主要表示按计划或时间表将要发生某事:
He is due to leave very soon. 他很快就要离开。
His book is due to be published in October. 他的书计划10月份出版。
(5) 用现在进行时(即be+现在分词)表示。主要表示按计划或安排要发生的事:
The students are leaving on Sunday. 学生们星期日出发。
We’re having a party next week. 我们下星期将开一个晚会。
注:该用法有时表示即将发生的动作:
I’m leaving. 我走了。
(6) 用一般现在时表示。表示按规定或时间表预计要发生的事:
The train leaves at 7:25 this evening. 火车今晚7:25分开。
Tomorrow is Wednesday. 明天是星期三。
We have a holiday tomorrow. 我们明天放假。
注:在表示时间、条件等的状语从句以及某些名词性从句、定语从句等中,也用一般现在时表示将来意义,参见“一般现在时”的有关用法。
3. 三种将来时间表示法的比较
(1) “will / shall+动词原形”与“be going to +动词原形”。两者均可表示将来时间和意图,两者有时可换用:
I think it’ll rain this evening. / I think it’s going to rain this evening. 我想今晚会下雨。
I won’t tell you about it. / I’m not going to tell you about it. 我不会把这事告诉你的。
但有时有差别:
① 若是强调某个意图是经过事先考虑好的,则通常要用be going to;若是表示某个意图没有经过事先考虑,而是在说话的当时才临时想到的,则通常用will。比较:
"Ann is in hospital." "Oh, really? I didn’t know. I’ll go and visit her." “安住院了。”“啊,真的吗?我还不知道。我要去看看她。” (临时想法,不能用be going to)
"Ann is in hospital." "Yes, I know. I’m going to visit her tomorrow. “安住院了。”“我知道,我打算明天去看看她。” (事先考虑的意图,不能用will)
② 若是有迹象表明要发生某事,通常只用be going to,不用will:
Look at those black clouds. It’s going to rain. 看那些乌云,要下雨了。
③ 带有时间或条件状语从句的主句通常不宜用be going to,而用will:
When he comes back, I will tell him the news. 他回来时我就告诉他这个消息。
If he comes back, I will tell him the news. 他若回来我就告诉他这个消息。
(2)“be going to+动词原形”与“现在进行时”
① be going to主要表示主观想法或意图,而现在进行进表示将来则主要已经强调作出的安排。比较:
I’m going to wash the car if I have time. 若有时间我想洗洗车。(主观想法)
I’m picking you up at 6; don’t forget. 我6点钟来接你,不要忘了。(已作出的安排)
② 但是当要表示主观无法控制的预测时,通常要用be going to,不能用现在进行时态:
It’s going to snow before long. 不久会下雪。
Things are going to get better soon. 情况很快就会好起来。
③ 当表示坚持要(不要)某人做某事时,两者均可用:
She’s taking [going to take] that medicine whether he likes it or not. 不管她喜欢不喜欢,她都得吃那药。
You’re not wearing [going to wear] that skirt to school. 你不可以穿那条裙子去上学。
(3) “be going to+动词原形”与“be to+动词原形”的区别。两者均可表示按计划或安排要发生的动作,有时可互换(但be to比be going to正式):
Where are we going to stay tonight? 我们今晚住哪里?
I’m (going ) to play tennis this afternoon. 我打算今天下午打网球。
另外,be going to 还可表示预测,即根据已有迹象预测将要发生的动作,此时不能用be to:
Look, it’s going to rain. 看,要下雨了。
五、过去将来时
1. 基本结构与用法
过去将来时由“would+动词原形”构成,主要表示从过去某一时间来看将要发生的事情(尤其用于宾语从句中):
He told us he would help us. 他告诉我们他会帮助我们。
I knew you would agree. 我当时就知道你会同意的。
注:在一定的语境中也可于其他从句或句子中:
It was a problem whether they would support us. 他们是否会支持我们还是一个问题。
It was six o’clock. The sun would soon set. 这时是六点钟。太阳即将落山。
2. 过去将来时的常见表示方法
除“would+动词原形”外,过去将来时还有以下常见表达方式(参见一般将来时的有关表示法):
(1) 用was (were) going to表示。表示过去某时准备做某事:
Marsha was going to come with us. 玛莎准备和我们一道去。
I was going to leave when he came in. 他进来时我正要离开。
注:was going to在一定的上下文中有时可表示过去未曾实现的想法或打算:
She was going to attend the concert last night, but she was too busy. 她昨晚本想去听音乐会的,但她太忙了。
(2) 用was (were) about+不定式表示。表示在过去看来正要做某事:
I was just about to go to bed when he came to see me. 我正要睡觉,他来看我了。
(3) 用于was(were)due to表示。表示定于过去某时将要做某事:
They were due to leave at ten o’clock. 他们定于十点出发。
(4) 用“was(were)+不定式”表示。表示定于过去某时将要做某事:
He was to meet her at 10 on the street. 他约定和她10点钟在街上见面。
注:若表示过去没有实现(或被取消)的计划,则用was (were) to+动词完成式:
We were to have left at 6 last night. 我们本来计划昨晚6点离开的。
六、现在完成时
1. 现在完成时的基本用法
(1) 已完成用法(影响性用法)。该用法的现在完成时表示一个过去发生的动作在过去已经完成,并且这个过去发生并完成的动作对现在有影响或结果,同时说话强调的或感兴趣的就是这个影响或结果:
He has left the city. 他已离开这个城市。(结果:他不在这个城市)
Someone has broken the window. 有人把窗户打破了。(结果:窗户仍破着)
Have you seen my bag? 你看到我的手提包了吗?(结果:你知道它在哪里吗?)
(2) 未完成用法(持续性用法):该用法的现在完成时表示一个过去发生的动作并未在过去完成,而是一直持续到现在,并且有可能继续下去(也可能到此结束):
Have you waited long? 你等了很久吗?
We have been busy this afternoon. 今天下午我们一直很忙。
The temperature has stayed hot this week. 这星期天气一直很热。
注:除以上用法外,现在完成时还可表示过去的重复动作甚至将来动作:
He has always gone to work by bike. 他总是骑自行车上班。
I’ll go to bed when I’ve finished my homework. 我做完作业后就上床睡觉了。
2. 与现在完成时连用的常用词语和结构
能与现在完成时连用词语很多,如副词just, already, yet, before, ever, recently 等,但下面是一些典型而且重要的例子:
(1) since(自从):不管用作介词、连词还是副词, 句子(主句)谓语通常都与现在完成时连用:
I haven’t seen her since last week. 自上周以来我一直未见过她。
Where have you been since I last saw? 自我上次见到你之后你到哪里去了?
注:有时可用其他时态的情况,但须注意:
① 对于某些表示状态(如 seem 等)的动词,或因语义等方面的原因,有时可能用一般现在时比较现在完成时更合适:
It seems like years since we last met. 我们似乎几年未见面了。
Since when does the $42 plus $5 service charge come to $48? 从什么什候开始42元加5元的服务费等于48元了?
② 若不是指从过去持续到现在,而是指从较远的过去持续到在一个较近的过去,则用过去完成时:
Yesterday he told me that he hadn’t eaten anything since Tuesday. 他昨天告诉我自星期二以来他一直未吃任何东西。(指从星期二至昨天未吃东西)
③ 表示时间长度时,通常用一般现在时代替现在完成时:
It’s ten years since he left here. 他离开这儿已10年了。
(2) so far(到目前为止)(www.yygrammar.com):
So far there has been no bad news. 到现在为止还没有什么坏消息。
We haven’t had any trouble so far. 到目前为止,我们还没有遇到任何麻烦。
(3) in [for, during] the past [last] … years(在过去…年中):
In the past two years I’ve seen him little. 过去两年我很少见到他。
I have been here (for) the last [past] month. 最近一个月里我都在这儿。
注:在一定的上下文里,若是以过去时间为起点,也可用过去完成时。
(4) up to [until] now(到现在为止):
Up to now, the work has been easy. 到现在为止这工作还算容易。
I have heard nothing from him up to now. 到现在为止我还没有听到他一点音信。
(5) It’s [will be] the first time that…(第一次…):
It’s the first time I’ve come here. 这是我第一次来这儿。
Don’t forget, it’ll be the first time I’ve spoken in public. 别忘了,这是我第一次在公共场合发言。
3. 现在完成时与一般过去的用法区别
现在完成的已完成用法很容易与一般过去时相混淆,其区别是:前者强调对现在的影响和结果,后者不强调这个影响和结果,而强调这个动作发生的时间是在过去:
I’ve lived here for ten years. 我在这里住了10年。(现在仍住这儿)
I lived here for ten years. 我在这里住过10年。(现在不住这儿了)
He has bought a house. 他买了一栋房子。(现在已拥有这房子)
He bought a house ten years ago. 他10年前买了一栋房子。(现在是否仍拥这房子不清楚)
注:有些副词或介词短语(如just, before, recently, in the past等)根据情况,既可与现在完成时连用也可一般过去时连用。
4. have been to 和have gone to:两者均可后接地点,前者表示去过某地,通常可与表示次数的状语连用;后者表示到某地去了,强调说话的当时去某地的人不在场。比较:
He has been to
He has gone to
七、过去完成时
1. 过去完成时的基本用法
过去完成时与现在完成时相似,也有“已完成”和“未完成”两种用法,所不同的是,过去完成时将时间推移到过去某一时间之前,即所谓的“过去的过去”。具体地说,它既可表示在过去某一时间之前已完成的动作,也可表示从一个较早的过去持续一个较迟的过去的动作:
He had left when I arrived. 当我到达时他已经离开。
By six o’clock he had worked twelve hours. 到6点钟时他就已工作了12小时。
2. 如何正确运用过去完成时
正确运用过去完成时最重要的是要正确理解“过去的过去”。“过去的过去”是一个相对时间,即它相对于一个过去时间而言,并在其过去。这种相对的“过去的过去”有时通过一定的时间副词(状语)体现出来,有时则可能是通过一定的上下文来体现:
I found the watch which I had lost. 我找到了我丢失的表。
The house was quiet. Everybody had gone to bed. 屋子里很安静,大家都睡觉了。
"Was Jack at the office?" "No, he’d gone home." “杰克在办公室吗?”“不在,回家了。”
有些通常与现在完成时连用的词语,由于在一定的语境中,谓语动作移到了“过去的过去”,也应用过去完成时:
Yesterday he told me that he hadn’t eaten anything since Tuesday. 他昨天告诉我自星期二以来他一直未吃任何东西。(指从星期二至昨天未吃东西)
3. 过去完成时表示过去未曾实现的想法与打算
过去完成时可表示过去未曾实现的想法和打算,通常连用的动词是 want, think, hope, plan, mean, expect, intend, suppose 等:
I had meant to come, but something happened. 我本想来,但有事就没有来。
I had intended to speak, but time did not permit. 我本想发言,但时间不允许。
We had hoped that you would come to see us, but you didn’t. 我们本想你来看我们的,但你没有来。
4. 过去完成时与一般过去时的用法比较
从用法上说,一般过去时表示过去某时发生的动作或存在的状态,而过去完成时则表示过去某一时间以前(即过去的过去)发生的动作或存在的状态。但有时某个动作虽然发生在“过去的过去”,但却也可用一般过去时,如:
(1) 当几个过去的动作用and, then, but等连接,且按照动作发生的先后顺序表达时,几个动作均可用一般过去:
I bought a radio but lost it. 我买了一部收音机,但丢了。
He stood up, took his coat and went out. 他站起身来,拿起外套,然后就出去了。
(2) 由after, before, as soon as 等连词引导时间状语从句,由于这些连词已经清楚地表明了主从句谓语动词的先后顺序,所以对于先发生的动作也可用一般过去时表示:
I told them the news after you (had) left. 你走后我把这消息告诉了他们。
As soon as I (had) put the phone down it rang again. 我刚把电话一放下,它又响了。
(3) 在一定的语境中,表示过去未曾实现想法或打算的过去完成时也可用一般过去时表示:
He hoped to come with us, but he was too busy. 他本想同我们一起来的,但他太忙了。
I thought I could go, but I can’t. 我原认为我能去,但我(现在)去不了。
注:若没有明确的语境,则宜用过去完成时表示过去未曾实现的想法,否则可能有歧义,如说I hoped to pass the examination. 它只表明过去想通过考试,但并未说明通过与否。如说 I had hoped to pass the examination,则表示过去想通过考试,但实际上未通过。不过在过去式后接不定式的完成式也可明确表示过去未曾实现的想法,如 I hoped to have passed the examination。
八、现在进行时
1. 现在进行时的基本用法
现在进行时主要表示说话人的说话时刻正在进行的动作、不断重复的动作或目前这个阶段(不一定是说话时刻)正在进行的动作:
We’re having a meeting. 我们在开会。(说话时正在进行的动作)
Be quiet! The baby is sleeping. 安静,孩子在睡觉。
He is teaching in a middle school. 他在一所中学教书。(目前阶段在进行的动作)
2. 现在进行时表将来
现在进行时表将来,主要表示按计划或安排要发生的动作:
I’m leaving tomorrow. 我明天走。
They’re getting married next month. 他们下个月结婚。
现在进行时与一般现在时均可表示将来,区别是:用现在进行时表示将来,其计划性较强,并往往暗示一种意图;而一般现在时表示将来,则其客观性较强,即通常被视为客观事实,多指按时刻表或规定要发生的情况:
I’m not going out this evening. 今晚我不准备出去。
What time does the train leave? 火车什么时候开?
3. 现在进行时表示感色彩
现在进行时有时可表示满意、称赞、惊讶、厌恶等感情色彩,通常与 always, forever, constantly, continually等副词连用。比较:
She’s always helping people. 她老是帮助别人。(表赞扬)
She always helps others. 他总是帮助别人。(陈述一个事实)
The boy is constantly lying. 这孩子老是撒谎。(表示厌恶)
The boy often lies. 这孩子常撒谎。(指出缺点)
4. 动词be的现在进行时
主要用于表示一时的表现或暂时存在的状态。比较:
He is foolish. 他很傻。(生性如此)
He is being foolish. 他显得很傻。(指一时的表现,并非总是如此)
He is friendly. 他很友好。(长期如此)
He is being friendly. 他显得很友好。(指暂时的表现,而且不一定真诚)
注:“be+形容词”用于现在进行时时,其中的形容词通常只能是angry, careful, careless, clever, foolish, stupid, kind, friendly, brave, rude, polite等动态形容词,而big, tall, beautiful 等静态形容词不能这样用的。
九 、过去进行时
1. 过去进行的基本用法
主要表示过去某一时间正在进行的动作:
He fell asleep when he was reading. 他看书时睡着了。
We were expecting you yesterday. 我们昨天一直在等你。
He was playing while I was studying. 我在做功课时他在玩。
2. 过去进行时表示现在
用过去进行时表示现在主要是为了使语气委婉、客气:
I was wondering if you could give me a lift. 我不知你能否让我搭一下车。
We were hoping you would stay with us. 我们很希望你能跟我们住在一起。
How much did you want to spend, sir? 先生,您打算花多少钱?
注:一般过去时也有类似用法,但比较而言,用过去进行时显得更客气,更不肯定。
3. 过去进行时表示感情色彩
与现在进行时相似,过去进行时也可表示满意、称赞、惊讶、厌恶等感情色彩,也通常与 always, forever, continually等副词连用:
They were always quarrelling. 他们老是吵架。
The boy was continually asking questions. 这个男孩子老是问东问西的。
4. 动词be的过去进行时
动词be的进行时也可表示过去一时的表现或暂时的状态。比较:
He was friendly. 他很友好。(指过去长期如此)
He was being friendly. 他当时显得很友好。(指当时一时的表现)
参见动词be的现在进行时的相应用法。
5. 过去进行时和一般过去时的用法比较
两者的基本差别是过去进行时通常表示一个过去正在进行且尚未完成的动作,而一般过去时则通常表示一个过去已经完成的动作(www.yygrammar.com):
I was reading a book last night. 我昨晚在看书。(不一定看完)
I read a book last night. 我昨晚看了一本书。(已经看完)
They were building a bridge there. 他们在那里修一座桥。(不一定建成)
They built a bridge there. 他们在那儿修了一座桥。(已建成)
注:有些动词(如rain, snow, cough, wear, feel, work等)本身并不表示动作完成,这时用两种时态都可以,且含义区别不大:
It rained [was raining] all day yesterday. 昨天下了一天的雨。
She didn’t feel [wasn’t feeling] well that day. 那天她感到不太舒服。
十、将来进行时
1. 将来进行时的基本用法
表示将来某一时间正在进行的动作:
Don’t phone me between 5 and 6. We’ll be having dinner then. 五点至六点之间不要给我打电话,那时我们在吃饭。
When I get home, my wife will probably be watching television. 当我到家时,我太太可能正在看电视。
2. 将来进行时表示按计划或安排要发生的动作:
I will be seeing you next week. 我下个星期来看你。
I’ll be taking my holidays soon. 不久我将度假了。
We shall be going to
3. 将来进行时表示委婉语气
有时用将来进行时可使语气更委婉:
Will you be having some tea? 喝点茶吧。
Will you be needing anything else? 你还需要什么吗?
4. 将来进行时与一般将来时的比较
(1) 两者基本用法不一样:将来进行时表示将来某时正在进行的动作,一般将来时表示将来某时将要发生的动作:
What will you be doing this time tomorrow? 明天这个时候你会在做什么呢?
What will you do tomorrow? 你明天干什么?
(2) 两者均可表示将来,但用将来进行时语气更委婉,比较:
When will you finish these letters? 你什么什假处理完这些信件?(直接询问,如上司对下属)
When will you be seeing Mr White? 你什么时候见怀特先生?(委婉地询问,如下属对上司)
When will you pay back the money? 你什么时候还钱?(似乎在直接讨债)
When will you be paying back the money? 这钱你什么时候还呢?(委婉地商量)
(3) 有时一般将来中的will含有“愿意”的意思,而用将来进行时则只是单纯地谈未来情况:
Mary won’t pay this bill. 玛丽不肯付这笔钱。(表意愿)
Mary won’t be paying this bill. 不会由玛丽来付钱。(单纯谈未来情况)
十一、将来完成时
1. 将来完成时的基本用法
表示到将来某个时间为止势必会完成或预计要完成的动作,由“will [shall]+have+过去分词”构成:
When we get there,she’ll have gone to work. 我们到那里时她会已上班去了。
On Monday he’ll have been in
2. 现在完成时、过去完成时与将来完成的用法比较
现在完成时以现在时间为参照点,表示在“现在”以前完成的动作或持续到“现在”的状态,过去完成时则以过去时间为参照点,表示在“过去”某一时间以前发生的动作或持续到“过去”某一时间的状态,将来完成时则以将来时间为参照点,表示在“将来”某一时间为止已经完成的动作或持续到“将来”某一时间的状态:
He has finished writing his novel. 他已写完了他的小说。
He had finished writing his novel by the end of last year. 去年年底他就写完他的小说。
He will have finished writing his novel by the end of next year. 到明年年底他就会写完他的小说了。
与一般现在时代替一般将来时一样,在表示时间或者条件的状语从句,通常要用现在完成时来表示将来完成时,而不能直接使用将来完成时:
I will go with you when I have finished my work. 等我完成工作之后我就同你去。
若不强调动作的完成(且不致于引起歧义),有时也可用一般现在时:
I will go with you when I finish my work. 我完成工作后就同你去。
十二、现在完成进行时
1. 现在完成进行的基本用法
表示现在以前这一段时间里一直在正进行的动作,这动作可能仍在进行,也可能已停止:
It has been raining since last Sunday. 自上周星期日以来就一直在下雨。
He’s been watching television all day. 他看了一天电视了。
现在完成进行时有时表示根据直接或间接的证据得出的结论:
She is very tired. She’s been typing letters all day. 她很累了,她整天都在打信件。
Her eyes are red. She has been crying. 她眼睛红了。她一直在哭。
2. 现在完成进行时与现在完成时的区别
(1) 现在完成时可以表示一个已经完成的动作,而现在完成进行时则表示一个正在进行的动作:
I have read the book. 我读过这本书(www.yygrammar.com)。
I have been reading the book. 我一直在读这本书。
注:有少数动词(如work, study, live, teach, stay等)在表示持续一时间时用这两种时态含义差不多(只是用现在完成进行进更强调动作的持续性):
How long have you worked [been working] here? 你在这儿工作多久了?
I’ve lived [been living] here since 1988. 自1988年以来我就一直住在这儿。
(2) 现在完成时通常只陈述事实,而现在完成进行时还可表示一种感色彩:
I have waited for two hours. 我等了两小时。(陈述事实)
I have been waiting for two hours. 我等了两个小时。(等得好辛苦)
(3) 现在完成进行时通常用来谈论较短暂的动作或情况,若要谈论时间延续较长的动作或情况或永久性情况,则通常用现在完成时:
He has lived in
He has been living in
(4) 不用于进行时态的动词通常也不用于现在完成进行时,但它们可以用于现在完成时:
I’ve only known her for two day. 我认识她刚刚两天。
They’ve been married for twenty years. 他们结婚已二十年了。
The war has lasted for a long time. 这场战争持续了很长时间。
(5) 现在完成进行时不用于被动语态形式,若要用可用现在完成时的被动语态形式代替:
The house has been painted for a month. 这房子已漆了一个月。
The problem has been studied for five days. 这个问题已研究了五天。
十三、过去将来完成时
过去将来完成时表示在过去看来将来某时会已经完成的动作,它由“would+have+过去分词”构成:
She said she’d have finished her exams by then. 她说那时她会已经考完试了。
He knew by the time he arrived she would have gone home. 他知道他到时她会已经回家。
十四、重点考点原创精练
1. We ______ according to the amount of work we do.
A. pay B. will pay C. will be paying D. will be paid
2. They haven’t arrived yet but we _____ them at any moment.
A. are expected B. have expected C. are expecting D. will expect
3. We ______ to see you, but it rained.
A. would come B. had come C. were coming D. came
4. I _____ for five minutes; why don’t they come?
A. am calling B. called C. was calling D. have been calling
5. I _____ your last point ― could you say it again?
A. didn’t quite catch B. don’t quite catch C. hadn’t quite catch D. can’t quite catch
6. We _____ to move but are still considering where to go to.
A. are deciding B. decided C. have decided D. had decided
7. I tried to phone her, but even as I _____ she was leaving the building.
A. phoned D. would phone C. had phoned D. was phoning
8. "I suppose you ______ that report yet?" "I finished it yesterday, as a matter of fact. "
A. didn’t finish B. haven’t finished C. hadn’t finished D. wasn’t finishing
9. "What’s her name?" "I ____. "
A. forget B. forgot C. had forgotten D. am forgetting
10. I ______ quite get what you said; would you speak a little louder?
A. don’t B. can’t C. didn’t D. won’t
11. "The phone is ringing." "______ it."
A. I’m going to get B. I’ll get C. I get D. I’ve got
12. I left my pen on the desk and now it’s gone; who _____ it?
A. took B. has taken C. will take D. had taken
13. It’s good that we ______ to the park because it’s started to rain.
A. don’t go B. hadn’t gone C. didn’t go D. wasn’t going
14. You’ll never guess who I met today ― my old teacher! We ______ for 20 years.
A. didn’t meet B. haven’t met C. don’t D. couldn’t meet
15. I think you must be mistaken about seeing him at the theatre; I’m sure he _____ abroad all week.
A. is B. was C. has been D. had been
16. His illness was much more serous than we ______.
A. think B. thought C. had thought D. have thought
17. "Have you ever eaten snails?" "No, and I hope I ______."
A. will never B. never will C. have never D. never have
18. I’ll come after the meeting if time ________.
A. permits B. is permitting C. is permitted D. has permitted
19. I feel sure I ______ her before somewhere.
A. was to meet B. have met C. had met D. would meet
20. You ______ your turn so you’ll have to wait.
A. will miss B. have missed C. are missing D. had missed
21. Look at that little boy wandering about ― perhaps he ______ his mother.
A. will lose B. is losing C. had lost D. has lost
22. He didn’t sell half as many computers as he thought he ____.
A. had B. would C. was D. sold
23. I missed what was happening because I _____ very closely.
A. hadn’t watched B. didn’t watch(www.yygrammar.com)
C. haven’t watched D. wasn’t watching
24. Dear me! Just _____ at the time! I _____ no idea it was so late.
A. look, have B. looking, had C. look, had D. looking, have
参考答案:1―5 DCCDA 6―10 CDBAC 11―15 BBCBC 16―20 CBABB 21―24 DBDC