42 現(xiàn)在完成時在表示發(fā)生在過去但與現(xiàn)在仍有聯(lián)系的動作或狀態(tài)時的使用技巧 Track 042
(1)這種完成時態(tài)的肯定句不與表示“一段時間”的狀語連用
這種完成時態(tài)中,由于謂語動詞通常是短暫性動詞,即動作在短時間或瞬間內即已終止,不再延續(xù)。常見的這類動詞有:
come go leave kill
die lose buy start
give marry join bring
因此與它連用不能是指“一段時間”的時間狀語。比如下列句子都是典型的錯誤句子:
a. I have heard from my girlfriend since I came to America.*
b. I have bought this pair of shoes for a year.*
c. He has left his hometown for 3 years.*
因為以上句子的謂語動詞都表示短暫性動作,而非延續(xù)性動作,因而不能與since和for引導的表示一段時間的時間狀語連用。這種錯誤句子的改正有多種方式,現(xiàn)以c句為例,該句可改為:
He left his hometown 3 years ago.
It’s been 3 years since he left his hometown.
He hasn’t come back since he left his hometown 3 years ago.
He has been away from his hometown for 3 years.
但是,含有短暫性動詞的完成時句子若用否定式,表示尚未發(fā)生的事情,則可視作一種狀態(tài)的延續(xù),可與表示一段時間的時間狀語連用。
例句
a. Beggar: Madam, I haven’t seen a piece of meat for weeks.
Lady: Mary, please show this poor man the ham we bought just now.
乞丐:夫人,我有好幾個星期沒見過一片肉了。
夫人:瑪麗,把我們剛才買的那根火腿給他瞧瞧。
b. I haven’t seen a film for weeks .
c. I haven’t heard from my girlfriend since I came to America.
d. I haven’t bought a pair of shoes for a year.
(2)與不確定時間的時間狀語連用
這種現(xiàn)在完成時態(tài)可以不與任何時間狀語連用,也可以與一些表示不確定時間的時間狀語連用,如:
例句
a. —Would you like something to eat?
—No, thanks. I’ve just had dinner.
(剛吃過飯,現(xiàn)在不餓)
b. The leading expert on sleep in America claims that he has never seen a sleepwalker.
這位美國權威的睡眠研究專家聲稱,他從未見過夢游的人。
c. Has it stopped raining yet?
雨停了嗎?
d. He hasn’t arrived yet.
他還沒到。
e. He has already arrived.
他已經(jīng)到了。
f.I have often thought that it would be perfect if we could fly without any aid.
我時常在想,如果我們能夠獨自飛翔該多好啊。
(3)用來宣布剛剛發(fā)生的事
這種現(xiàn)在完成時經(jīng)常用來表示最近才發(fā)生的動作,提供最新消息,因而具有“新聞”性質。
a. The President has been assassinated.
總統(tǒng)被暗殺了。
b. He can’t go on holiday because he has broken his leg.
這種現(xiàn)在完成時態(tài)強調的是事件的內容,而不是事件發(fā)生的具體時間。因而,在實際生活對話中,通常用現(xiàn)在完成時開始問答,隨著對話的繼續(xù),動作發(fā)生的過去時間在說話人的腦子里已經(jīng)確定了。所以,繼續(xù)討論時則用一般過去時態(tài)。請認真體會下面的對話:
c. A: Have you seen the film Forrest Gump? (詢問現(xiàn)在對電影《阿甘正傳》的內容是否了解)
B: Yes, I have. (現(xiàn)在知道電影內容)
A: When did you see it? (詢問看電影的過去具體時間)
B: I saw it last spring. (給出具體時間)
A: Did you see it alone? (詢問當時情況)
B: No, I saw it with my boyfriend. (提供過去事實)
d. A:The President has been assassinated .
B:Really? When did that happen? (問具體的時間,用一般過去時)
A:He was killed last night when he spoke in crowd.
e. A:I hear that famous Chinese comedian has died .
B:Really? When did she die?
A:She was dead late last night.
f.A: Has the boss come yet?
B: Yes, he has. He is in his office now.
A: When did he come?
B: He came at 9 o’clock. He asked about you
.