不定式在句中用法广泛,可以充当除了谓语之外的任何成分。但对不定式做定语,很多高中学生都比较陌生,所以下面就动词不定式todo做定语做一简要总结。
不定式在句中做定语通常做后置定语,即放在被修饰名词或代词后。它通常有以下几种用法:
(一)不定式常可用来修饰物,表示要做某事。
如:1.The next train to arrive was from NewYork.下一列到站的火车是从纽约开来的。
2.I have nothing to say on this question.在这个问题上,我没有什么话要说。
3. We are looking for somewhere to live.我们正在找一个地方住。
(二)不定式还可用来修饰人。
如:1.He was the first guest to arrive.他是第一个到达的客人。
2.Miss Brown was the next person to rise to speak.布朗小姐是下一个起来发言的人。
3.He was a brave man to do what he did.他是个勇者才有这样的行为。
(三)很多特定的名词后也可用不定式做定语,这样的名词常用的有:way,time,reason,chance,opportunity,need,wish,effort,right,ambition等。
如:1.It’s time for you to get up and go to school.你该起床去上学了。
2.There is no reason to doubt his word.没有理由怀疑他的话。
3.They have now an opportunity to go abroad to study further.他们现在有机会出国深造。
(四)某些动词或形容词后可接不定式时,它相应的同根名词也常用不定式做定语。
如:1.He made an attempt to learn English well.他试图学好英语。(attempt to do sth)
2.His ability to get on with people is his chief advantage.他能和人相处是他的主要优势。(be able to do sth)
3.I don’t trust his promise to come for a visit.我不相信他来访的诺言。(promise to do sth)
4.Her anxiety to succeed led her to work hard.她迫切想成功,这促使她努力工作。(be anxious to do sth)
此外,当不定式中的动词与所修饰的名词或代词构成动宾关系且动词为不及物动词时,需用“不定式+介词”的结构,这种情况下的介词不能省略。如:
1.I need a pen to write with.我需要一支笔写字。
2.Give me some paper to write on.给我一些纸写字。
3.There are some things to be grateful for.有一些事应该为之表示感激。
(这种不定式+介词做定语的形式也可转换成:介词+which+todo做定语,如上面的第一句I need a pen to write with.可转换为I need a pen with which to write.)
不定式做定语除了原形to do外,还会下面的形式,即:不定式的被动形式to be done,不定式的完成时to have done.如:
1.There is no need to have bought a new pair of shoes for me.没有必要给我买一双新鞋。(to have bought意为“已买”).
2.There are plans to be made at once.要立即制定计划。(表示计划被制定)
3.He was the second man to be killed this way.他是第二个这样被杀害的人。(表示这个人被杀害)
注意:当不定式做定语时,有两种情况可用不定式的主动表被动。
1.There be句型中不定式to do和to be done都可表被动,可以不区别。如:There are a lot of things to do/to be done this afternoon.今天下午有许多事要做。
2.当不定式与所修饰词有动宾关系同时又与本句中的另一个名词或代词构成主谓关系时,可用不定式的主动形式to do表示被动含义。如:
Mr.Smith,I have some questions to ask.史密斯先生,我有一些问题要问。(不定式to ask的动作执行者是主语I)
Please give me somebooks to read.请给我一些书读。(不定式to read的动作执行者是句中的me)
但:I’m going to the post office;do you have anything to be sent?我要去邮局,你有什么要寄的东西吗?(此句中send这个动作不是句中you发出的,所以用了被动)