过去非真实条件句

在英语中,过去时有时会被用来论及一个不真实的情况。所以说,纵使动词的时态是过去时,我们实际上讲的是根本没发生过的事。当我们讲的是一个假设丶随时可能发生的情况,就常会出现这样的条件句,因此我们将这种过去式称为「过去非真实条件句」。

 

「过去非真实条件句」会用在 if丶supposing丶if only丶what if 等表达条件或假设的字词后,还有表达愿望的动词 to wish 之后,以及 I'd rather 之类的字词之后。

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表达条件的用词

if丶supposing丶if only丶what if 等字词可以用来引导假设的条件或情况,并在后面接一般过去时的句子,以表示引导的假设条件或情况是虚幻的。

举例
  • Supposing an elephant and a mouse fell in love.
  • What if we painted the room yellow?
  • If you went to the movies, I would babysit.
  • If only I had more money, I could go to the movies too.

这些词语也可以用来引导过去的假设情况,后面接过去完成时的句子。

举例
  • If only I hadn't kissed the frog.
  • What if the elephant had stepped on my phone?
  • Supposing I had given that man my money.

祈望

当我们要谈论不满意丶但无法改变的现况,就要把 to wish 这个动词用在过去不真实条件句。

举例
  • I wish I had more money.
  • She wishes she was beautiful.
  • We wish we could come to your party.

当我们想要谈论过去不满意的情况,或者后悔做过的事情,我们会在动词 to wish 后面接过去完成时的句子。

举例
  • I wish I hadn't said that.
  • He wishes he hadn't bought the car.
  • I wish I had taken that job in New York.

当我们想要谈问不满意的现况,并且表达我们希望某人可以改变某事,就要在动词 to wish 后面接 would + 不定词的句型。

举例
  • I wish he would stop smoking.
  • I wish you would go away.
  • I wish you wouldn't squeeze the toothpaste from the middle!

用「I'd rather」和「it's time」来表达宁愿

I'd rather 和 it's time 后面接的也是过去非真实条件句。动词是过去时,但谈论的情况是现在时。当我们想要表达自己希望某人做某件事,就要用 I'd rather + 过去时的句型。

举例
  • I'd rather you went.
  • He'd rather you called the police.
  • I'd rather you didn't hunt elephants.

在这样的句型中,重音的位置很重要;这样才能清楚表达我们宁愿的事物为何。

举例
  • I'd rather you went.(而不是我)
  • I'd rather you went.(而不是留下)
  • He'd rather you called the police.(而不是我)
  • He'd rather you called the police.(而不是消防员)

同样的,当我们想要表达现在该做某事,无论是对于自己本身还是对于他人,都是用 it's time + 过去时的句型。

举例
  • It's time you paid that bill.
  • It's time I went home.
  • Don't you think it's time you had a haircut?
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