there be 句式的语法要素
1、概说
英语中的there be结构主要表示某处存在有某物,所以一般被叫做存在句。其中的there为引导词,无词义,be为谓语动词,there be后面的名词为句子主语。
2、there be结构的主谓一致问题
在there be句型中,若句子只有一个主语,谓语的数则取决于该主语的数;若有几个主语并列,则一般是与挨近的主语维持一致。如:
There is no cause for anxiety. 不必焦虑。
There is some dirt on your coat. 你的外套上有灰尘。
There are twenty children present. 在座的有20个孩子。
There is a teacher and some students over there. 那边有一位老师和一些学生。
3、there be结构的时态问题
there be结构的时态由其中的谓语动词be来体现,它可以有一般目前时、一般以后时、一般过去时、目前完成时与过去完成时等多种时态形式。如:
There will be a rise in unemployment next year. 明年失业人数将会增加。
There have been a series of car accidents at the crossing. 在这个交叉路口已发生了一连串的车祸。
There had been two sea fights between them. 他们之间发生了两场海战。
4、there be结构与情态动词连用
there be结构有时可以与情态动词连用。如:
There may be an opportunity for you to see the premier. 你可能有机会见到总理。
There must be something wrong with my left arm, which is asleep.我的左臂发麻,肯定出那些问题了。
There used to be a lot of troubles in that region. 那个区域过去动乱不断。
5、there be结构的非谓语形式
there be结构的非谓语形式有两种基本结构,即there being和there to be。一般说来,there being结构主要用作状语或介词宾语;There to be 结构主要用作动词宾语。如:
There being no further business, I declared the meeting closed. 没更进一步的状况,我就宣布闭会。
There is now some hope of there being a settlement of the dispute. 目前有点期望可以解决这次争端。
We expect there to be more discussion about this. 大家期望能对此展开更多的讨论。
注:用作介词宾语一般用there being,但用作介词for的宾语时,只可以用there to be。比较:
They planned on there being another meeting. 他们计划再开一次会议。
They planned for there to be another meeting. 他们计划再开一次会议。