过去分词作表语和作定语的三点注意

过去分词作表语和作定语的三点注意

■湖南 陈根花

一、注意分清过去分词应前置还是后置

在通常情况下，单个的过去分词作定语，通常应放在被修饰名词之前。如：

This part of the exam requires a written answer. 这部份考题需要书面作答。

Women are limited to the more poorly paid jobs. 女性仅限于做一些薪水较低的工作。

但是，如果是过去分词短语用作定语，应置于所修饰的名词之后。如：

There is a red car parked outside the house. 房子外边停着一辆红色汽车。

The system used in this school is very successful. 这学校使用的系统很成功。

注意，有时单个的过去分词用作定语也可放在其所修饰的词语之后，出现这种情况多半是有特殊原因的，比如受过去分词修饰的名词或代词可能不适合接受前置定语的修饰，或者说话者为了动作的暂时性，为了句子结构的平衡，等等。如：

The experience gained will be of great value to us. 取得的经验对我们将很有价值。

We couldn’t agree on any of the problems discussed. 我们未能就所讨论的任何问题达成协议。

二、注意分清用过去分词还是现在分词

有些成对使用的过去分词和现在分词（如interested与interesting），从用法上看，它们虽然是分词的形式，但具有形容词的特点，都可用作表语和定语，注意它们在用法上的区别：过去分词通常用于说明人自身的感受，通常译为“（人）感到……的”；而现在分词则通常用于说明事物给人的感受，通常译为“令人感到……的”。如：

Interested members will meet at two. 感兴趣的会员两点钟碰头。

The English language has an interesting history. 英语有一段有趣的历史。

注意，不要认为此类过去分词转化来的形容词只用于修饰人，此类现在分词转化来的形容词只用于修饰事物，其实不一定。比较：

The man was really annoyed. 这个人真的生气了。

The man was really annoying. 这个人真的让人很烦。

The man was very much frightened. 这个人非常害怕。

The man was very much frightening. 这个人非常可怕。

三、注意分清是系表结构还是被动语态

过去分词用作表语时，其动作意味很弱，在功能上更接近形容词，它不仅可用于系动词be之后，也可根据需要用于其他系动词之后。如：

She looked astonished at the news. 听到这消息她显得很吃惊。

It took them a long time to grow used to getting up in the middle of the night. 他们花了很长时间才慢慢地习惯于午夜起床。

被动语态中的过去分词动作意味较强，它只能与助动词be（有时可能是get）构成被动结构，不宜用于其他动词之后。如：

The food was cooked last night. 饭是昨天晚上做的。

After the operation she was taken to the recovery room. 手术后，她被推进了恢复室。

所以如果语义需要，其后可以接表示动作执行者的by短语。如：

When their mother was ill the children were looked after by neighbours. 孩子们的母亲生病时，他们由邻居们照顾。

比较：

I was worried about you all night. 我整夜为你担心。（系表结构）

I was worried by the mice all night. 我被老鼠搅扰了一整夜。（被动语态）

【边学边练】用所给动词的适当形式填空：

1. Her face went pale when she saw the money was ________ (go).

2. Please remain ________ (seat) until all the lights are on.

3. You are entitled to 24 days’ ________ (pay) holiday per year.

4. The ________ (excite) children are opening their Christmas presents.

5. She told me that she was not ________ (satisfy) with my examination results.

6. Members shall enter the names of their guests in the book ________ (provide).

7. He was ________ (mistake) when he thought I was on vacation. Actually I wasn’t.

8. We want to get ________ (marry) and start a family and all. But that takes money.

9. Everybody was touched beyond words after they heard her ________ (move) story.

10. If you happen to get ________ (lose) in the wild, you’d better stay where you are and wait for help.

参考答案：

1. gone 2. seated 3. paid 4. excited 5. satisfied 6. provided 7. mistaken 8. married 9. moving 10. lost (www.yygrammar.com)