考點1 狀語從句中的虛擬語氣
1. 非真實條件句
(1)虛擬現(xiàn)在時(與現(xiàn)在事實相反),從句謂語形式用動詞的過去式(be一般用were,而不用was),主句謂語形式為“should(would, could, might)+動詞原形”。
If I knew her number I could ring her up.
要是我知道她的電話號碼,我就可以給她打電話了。(事實是我不知道)
(2)虛擬過去時(與過去事實相反),從句謂語形式用“had+過去分詞”,主句謂語形式為“should(would, could, might)+have+過去分詞”。
If we had found him earlier we could have saved his life.
要是我們當時早點找到他的話,我們就可以救活他。(事實是我們沒能早點找到他)
(3)虛擬將來時(與將來事實相反),從句謂語形式用動詞的一般過去式,或“were to+動詞原形”或“should+動詞原形”,主句謂語形式“should(would, could, might)+動詞原形”。
If I asked him, I’m sure he’d help us.
如果我懇求他,他肯定會幫助我們。(事實是我不打算懇求他)
注意特殊情況
① 虛擬條件從句和主句動作發(fā)生的時間不一致時,主句和從句的謂語動詞要根據(jù)各自所指的不同時間選用適當?shù)奶摂M語氣形式,這種現(xiàn)象稱為錯綜時間虛擬條件句。
If you had spoken to him last time you saw him, you would know what to do now.
如果你上次見他時和他說過話,你就會知道你現(xiàn)在要做些什么。(過去+現(xiàn)在)
② 若虛擬條件句中含有were或had, should等助動詞或情態(tài)動詞時,連詞if可以省略,而將were, had, should提前,構成倒裝語序。
Were I in your position(=If I were in your position)I would go.
如果我處在你的處境,我就走了。
Had you arrived five minutes earlier(=If you had arrived five minutes earlier), you could have seen them off. 如果你早到五分鐘,你就可以給他們送行了。
Should he come(=If he should come), tell him to ring me up.
如果他來的話,叫他打電話給我。
③ 利用語境不直接說出條件的句子稱為含蓄虛擬條件句。
A. 用介詞引入條件
* but for(若不是,如沒有):注意,凡是出現(xiàn)這個復合介詞的句子,必須要用虛擬語氣。
We would have had a pleasant journey but for the rain.(=We would have had a pleasant journey if it hadn’t rained.)如果沒有下雨,我們的旅程會很愉快。
* without/with(在不具備/具備……的條件下)。
Without his help, I could not have done it well.(=If he hadn’t helped me, I could not have done it well.)要是沒有他的幫助,我們不可能做得這么順利。
With favorable winds, we might have got there in two days.(=If there should be favorable winds, we might have got there in two days.)要是順風的話,我們可能兩天后就抵達那里了。
B. 分詞短語充當條件狀語(分詞短語本身就具有充當條件狀語的功能)。
Given a certain opportunity, he could have shown more talent.(=If he had been given a certain opportunity, he could have shown more talent.)要是能有一定的機會,他也許就能展示出更大的才能。
C. 用上下文暗示條件。常用來表示不具備條件的連詞,如:but, or或otherwise等。
I would have failed but that you helped me. 要不是你們幫助我,我就會失敗。(but表示讓步關系,意為“除非,要不是”,常與that一起構成but that,相當于if... not...)
I was so busy then, otherwise, I would have finished it.(If I hadn’t been busy then, I would have finished it.)那時我很忙,否則我早就完成了。
I might have given you more help, but I was too busy.
我可能會給你更多的幫助的,但那時我太忙了。
More water and the young trees couldn’t have died.(=If you had given them more water, the young trees couldn’t have died.)如果你給那些小樹多澆點水,它們就不會死了。
2. as if / though引導的從句
在as if或as though引導的方式狀語從句或表語從句中,用過去時表示與現(xiàn)在事實相反或對現(xiàn)在情況有懷疑;用過去完成時表示對過去事實或過去想象中的動作或情況。
The teacher treats the pupil as if/as though he were her own child.
這位老師對待這位學生就像對自己的孩子一樣。(對現(xiàn)在的虛擬)
He looks as if/as though he had been hit by lighting.
他看起來像曾經(jīng)被雷擊過似的。(對過去的虛擬)
They talked and talked as if/as though they would never meet again.
他們說啊說,就好像他們再也見不到對方了一樣。(對將來的虛擬)