不定式用法讲解

不定式用法讲解

来源：天星 更新日期：2007-09-17 点击：31770

1. 不定式是动词的一种非限定形式，通常前面带有小品词to，有时也可不带to，它可以和助动词或情态动词构成谓语：

They will set up more evening schools next year. 他们明年要办更多的夜校。

We mustn't fall behind the others. 我们一定不要落在别人后面。

也可以作主语(a)、宾语(b)、表语(c)、定语(d)或是状语(e)：

a．To scold her would not be just. 责备她是不公平的。

b．We are planning to build a reservoir here. 我们计划在这里修一座水库。

C．One of our main tasks now is to mechanize agriculture. 我们当前的主要任务之一是实现农业机械化。

d．Do you have anything to declare? 你有什么要申报吗?

e. We have come to learn from you. 我们是来向你们学习的。

有时它还可以构成复合结构(类似汉语语法中的主谓结构)，作复合宾语等：

He wants all of us to make rapid progress. 他希望我们大家都迅速进步。

不定式在句子里虽能担任种种成分，但它毕竟是一个动词，因此具有动词的许多特点。它可以有自己的宾语(a)或状语(b)，来和它构成不定式短语：

a．Would you like to tell me how you overcame the difficulties? 你可不可以告诉我你们怎样克服困难的？

b．I prefer to go there by bike. 我宁愿骑车去。

还有下面种种形式：

主 动 形 式 被 动 形 式

一般式 to do; to be done;

完成式 to have done; to have been done;

进行式 to be doing; ________

完成进行式 to have been doing; _________

另外，不定式虽然在语法上不能有主语，但由于表示的是动作，在意思上是可以有主语的，这个主语可以称为逻辑上的主语(the Logical Subject)，以区别于语法上的主语。例如在We came to study．中，we是句子里的主语，同时也是to study的逻辑上的主语；又如在We'll send him to study abroad．中，him是句子里的宾语，而且是to study逻辑上的主语。不定式的逻辑上的主语，可以是句子中的主语、宾语等，也可以由一个用for引起的短语表示，例如：It is difficult for a foreigner to learn Chinese. 外国人学汉语是不容易的。

2. 作主语、宾语和表语用的不定式

不定式(短语)常用来作主语：

To persevere means victory! 坚持就是胜利！

To complete that building in ten months was a great achievement. 那座楼10个月就盖成是一个了不起的成就。

To ignore this would be a mistake. 忽视这一点是错误的。

To see is to believe. 眼见为实。

To act like that is foolish. 这样做是愚蠢的。

To err is human, to forgive divine. 犯错误是人之常情，宽恕才难能可贵。

To know something about English is one thing; to know English is quite another. 懂一点英语是一回事；掌握英语完全是另一回事。

但在很多情况下，特别是在口语中，我们常常用代词it来代替它作主语，而把它移到句子后部去，这样使句子显得比较平稳：

It isn't right to gossip about others. (=To gossip about others isn't right.) 说闲话是不对的。

It is nice not to be dependent on them. 不依靠他们是好的。

It is not an easy thing to master a language. 学好一种语言是不容易的。

It seems a pity to refuse. 拒绝似乎是很遗憾的。

It only took (us) a year to complete the project. 完成这项工程只花了(我们)一年时间。

What harm can it do to give advice? 给人出主意有什么不好的?

How would it be to start tomorrow? 明天动身怎么样?

How much did cost (you) to send the telegram? 拍这份电报(你)花了多少钱?"

It made us very angry to hear him talk like that. 听他这样谈话我们非常气愤。

It feels good to be out here for a while. 出来在这儿待一待是挺舒服的。

It was beyond me to help them. 我无力帮助他们。

It was considered impossible to fail. 人们认为失败是不可能的。

It was decided to bring the matter up at the next meeting. 决定把这问题提到下次会上讨论。

如果要说明不定式表示的动作是谁做的，可以在不定式前加一个for引起的短语：

It is not hard for one to do a bit if good. 一个人做点好事并不难。

It is a great honour for us to be present at this rally. 我们来参加这个大会是很荣幸的。

It will be a mistake for us not to help them. 我们不帮助他们是错误的。

在以某些形容词(如kind, good, nice, wise, unwise, clever, silly, wrong, right, foolish, stupid, careless, considerate, rude, naughty, impolite等)作表语时，不定式前常可加一个of引起的短语，来说明不定式指的是谁的情况：

It's kind of you to think so much of us. (=You're so kind to...) 难为你这样替我们想。

(It is) Awfully good of you to come and meet us. 非常感谢你来接我们。

It's very nice of you to be so considerate. 你们想得这样周到是很好的。

It's unwise of them to turn down the proposal. 他们拒绝采纳这个建议是不明智的。

不定式用作宾语的时候特别多：

He offered to help us. 他提出要帮助我们。

Mary begged to go with us. 玛丽恳求和我们一道去。

I can't afford to buy a car. 我买不起小汽车。

We will arrange to see him tomorrow. 我们将安排明天见他。

Some people can't bear to watch a bullfight. 有的人不忍心看斗牛。

She determined to study harder. 她决心更加努力地学习。

I did not think (expect) to find you here. 没想到在这儿碰到你。

They proposed to attack the city at dawn. 他们打算在拂晓时对这城市发起进攻。

You should continue to learn as long as you live. 活到老学到老。

They demanded to know what I had been doing. 他们要求知道我一直在干什么。

He failed to see the other car in time. 他没及时看到另外那辆车。

Children love to listen to fairy tales. 孩子们喜欢听童话故事。

He pledged to stop smoking. 他保证戒烟。

They preferred not to put this on the agenda. 他们宁愿不把这列入议程。

She promised to return in an hour. 她答应一小时后回来。

I am preparing to take the examination on Monday. 我在准备参加礼拜一的考试。

能以不定式作宾语的动词很多，常见的有：want, like, wish, hate, prefer, hope, continue, manage, try, ask, offer, start, forget, promise,mean, pretend, intend, begin, attempt, decide, learn, desire, agree, care, choose, determine, undertake, expect等。

另外，tell, advise, show, teach, find out, decide, discuss, learn, forget等动词，常用一个带连接代(副)词的不定式作宾语：

They will teach us how to repair farm tools. 他仍将教我们怎样修农具。

We must decide whether to go or stay. 我们得决定去还是留。

He didn't know whether to laugh or to cry when he heard the words. 听了这话他是啼笑皆非。

No one could tell me where to get the book. 没有人能告诉我哪里能找到这本书。

I hope you'll advise me what to do. 我希望你给我出主意怎么办好。

The book explains how to solve the problem. 这本书解释如何回答这个问题。

Don't forget how to unlock it. 别忘了如何开锁。

You can learn how to type there. 在那里你可学习怎样打字。

She considered how to answer the question. 她考虑如何回答这个问题。

另外，在某些复合宾语中，我们常常先用一个it代表不定式，而把不定式放到后面去，如：

They found it impossible to get everything ready in time. 他们发现不可能把一切按时准备好。

She thought it unnecessary to argue with him about it. 觉得没有必要和他辨论。

I consider it better not to go. 我认为还是不去为好。

这种结构很有用处，例如下面这类句子就都可以这样翻译：

你难道不觉得这样译好些吗？ Don't you think it better to translate it this way?

这种种烦恼使她不能专心工作。 All these worries made it impossible for her to concentrate on her work.

他规定堂上只能讲英语。 He made it a rule only to speak English in class.

她感到有责任指出这一点。 She felt it her duty to point that out.

间或可以看到下面这种句子:

I have long had it in mind to answer your letter. 我一直在想给你回信。

She took it on herself to apologize for me. 她亲自出面替我道歉。

He regards it as important to help his friends. 他认为帮助朋友是很重要的。

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注: 在个别的介词后可用"连接代(副)词+不定式"这种结构作宾语，如:

Everyone has his own idea of how to do it. 如何做这件事各人都有不同的看法。

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不定式有时也可用以用作表语:

The problem is to find a solution. 问题是得找出一个解决办法。

Her wish was to become an artist. 她的志愿是成为一个艺术家。

The greatest happiness is to work for the happiness of all. 最大的幸福就是为大家的幸福而工作。

His job was to make contacts with the local people. 他的任务是联系当地群众。

To do this would be to cut the foot to fit the shoe. 这样做是削足适履。

The most important thing is to put theory into practice. 最重要的是把理论变为实际。

What I like is to swim in the sea and then to lie on the warm sand. 我喜欢的是在海里游泳，然后躺在暖和的沙上。

有时，在一个汉语句子中，如果主语很长而表语很短，在译为英语时，我们可以把两者颠倒过来，用上述结构来表示：

培养学生的独立工作能力是我们现在的主要任务。 Our main task now is to develop the students' ability to carry on independent work.

仔细分析当前的形势并从而制定我们的政策，是我们最迫切的任务。 Our most urgent task is to make a careful analysis of the present situation and form our policy on the basis of such an analysis.

3. 作定语用的不定式

不定式作定语的情况很多，在下面这些类型的句子中常可看到这种用法：

a. She usually has a lot of meetings to attend in the evenings． 她晚上经常有很多会要开。

Do you have anything more to say? 你还有什么话要说吗?

b. I want to get something to read during the vacation. 我想找点书假期看。

The teacher assigned us two exercises to do at home. 老师给我们留了两个练习在家做。

c. Is there anything else to put on the agenda? 还有什么要列入议程的?

There are still two more items to include in the programme. 还有两个节目要列入节目单。

d. That will be the only thing to do now. 这恐怕是目前唯一可行的办法。

He is not a man to bow before difficulties. 他不是那种在困难面前低头的人。

e．She was the first person to think of the idea. 她第一个想到这个主意。

They are always the first to bear hardships, the last to enjoy comforts. 他们总是吃苦在前，享乐在后。

f. We need someone to help with the typing. 我们需要一个人帮助打字。

应当注意，这种不定式很多和它修饰的词有动宾关系(如前四类中的多数句子)。因此，如果这个不定式是不及物动词，它后面就应有必要的介词，如：

She has a lot of things to attend to. 她有很多事要管。

Let's first find a room to put the things in. 我们先找一个房间把东西搁在里面。

There is nothing (for us) to worry about. 没有什么值得发愁的。

She is a very nice person to work with. 她是一个很好共事的人。

Is this something to be ashamed of? 难道这有什么见不得人？

有些名词后常可用一不定式作定语：

The workers and peasants felt a pressing need to learn to read and write. 工人农民那时迫切感到要学文化。

It is already time to start spring sowing. 现在已经是开始春播的时候了。

Is that the best way to solve the problem? 这是解决这问题的最好方法吗?

No investigation, no right to speak. 没有调查就没有发言权。

They had no chance to go to school in those years. 那时候他们没有机会上学。

This will be a good opportunity to exchange experience. 这将是一个交流经验的好机会。

We are starting a movement to clean up the city. 在开始一个使城市清洁的运动。

We must have the courage to say that we are ignorant. 我们应当有勇气承认自己是无知的。

Only then can we have the motive force to go forward． 有这样我们才有前进的动力。

能用不定式作定语的名词很多，除了上面这些之外，还有reason, effort, drive, determination, decision, tendency, struggle, intention, campaign,
ambition, wish等。

还有一些动词(a)和形容词(b)后面是经常跟不定式的，它们的同源名词也常用不定式作定语：

The enemy failed in their attempt to land on the island. 敌人在岛上登陆的企图失败了。 (The enemy attempted to land on the island.)

You haven't kept your promise to write us regularly. 你没有遵守给我们经常写信的诺言。 (You promised to write us regularly．)

I guess they will have to make some changes in their plan to open up rice fields. 我猜他们开发水稻田的计划得做些变动了。 (They are
planning to open up more rice fields．)

He has the inclination to overlook difficulties. 他有忽视困难的倾向。 (He is inclined to overlook difficulties.)

b. You should have confidence in your ability to fulfil the task. 你们应对自己完成任务的能力有信心。 (You are able to fulfil the task.)

In his speech he expressed their determination to achieve their goals. 他在讲话中表达了他们实现自己目标的决心。 (They are determined to achieve their goals.)

We could see her anxiety to settle the thing herself. 我们看得出她很想自己来解决这个问题。 (She was anxious to settle the thing herself.)

His eagernese to get back to work was quite obvious. 急于回去工作这一点是很明显的。 (He was eager to get back to work.)

另外，不定式还可以在下面这类句子中用作定语：

We'll have more meetings like this in the few weeks to come. 在未来几周内还要开几次这样的会。

In the lectures to follow she will give us some information about the situation in Africa. 在以后几次讲演中，她将谈谈非洲的情况。

Among the men to take part in the work, he is probably the most active. 在要参加这些工作的人中，他恐怕是最积极的。

The conference to take place next month is bound to be a great success. 下月举行的会议一定会很成功。

这时，这些不定式几乎等于一个定语从句(例如to take part in the work可以说是who are to take Part in the work的紧缩形式)，都表示即将发生的动作。

间或还可以看到下面这种不定式短语作定语：

She had no time left in which to pack her things. 她没有时间收拾行李了。

It was a bad season in which to have outings. 这是一个不适于郊游的季节。

Allow me one minute in which to change my costumes. 给我一分钟时间来卸装。

She had a little money in the bank, with which to help her mother. 她在银行有一点存款，用来帮助她的妈妈。

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注： 不定式间或可用作同位语(a)或是引起一个惊叹句(b)：

a．Soon came the order to start the general attack. 很快下达了发起总攻的命令。

We got no instructions to leave the city. 我们没有接到离开这座城市的指示。

b. To think he knew about it all the time! 没想他一直知道这事！

Oh! To be young again. 哦，要能再年轻就好了。

4. 作状语用的不定式

不定式常可用来作状语，修饰动词，表示行为的目的(a)、结果(b)或原因(c)，如：

a．They ran over to welcome the delegates. 他们跑过去欢迎代表们。

The vice-minister cut the ribbon to open the exhibition. 展览会开幕由副部长剪彩。

To do a good job, we must have the right tools. 要干好活工具要对头。

We must do everything we can to help them. 我们要尽一切力量帮助他们。

b．He made a long speech only to show his ignorance of the subject. 他讲了一大段话，只暴露出他对这门学科一无所知。

What have I said to make you so excited? 我说了什么话使你这样激动?

The curtain parted, to reveal a market scene. 帷幕分开，出现一个集市的场面。

She lived to be 100. 她活到一百岁。

He left, never to return. 他走了，再也没有回来。

C．We all rejoiced to hear of your success． 听说你们成功了我们都很高兴。

She shuddered to think of her bitter past. 她想起了辛酸的过去真是不寒而栗。

To hear him talk in that manner, you would think him a foreigner. 听他这样说话，你会以为他是外国人。

We jumped with joy to hear the news. 我们听到这消息高兴得跳了起来。

另外，不定式也常用在so as (to)或in order (to)后，与它合起来作状语用，表示目的:

Let's hurry so as not to be late for the meeting. 咱们快点走，免得开会迟到。

She decided to work harder in order (so as) to catch up with the others. 她决定加紧学习好赶上别人。

In order to achieve this aim, we must learn from other countries. 为了实现这个目标，我们必须向别的国家学习。

此外，还可和某些不及物动词连用：

My blood pressure tends to be high. 我的血压偏高。

They burned to avenge his death. 他们一心要给他报仇。

不定式也可用在作表语用由形容词(或过去分词)后面作状语，说明产生这种情绪的原因或是在哪方面存在谓语所表示的情况等：

I am sorry (glad) to hear it. 听了这个我很难过(高兴)。

He was annoyed to hear them talk like that. 听他们这样说话他很不高兴。

We are proud to be young people of China. 作为中国的青年我们感到自豪。

We shall be very happy to co-operate with you in the work. 我们将很高兴在这项工作中和你们合作。

We were surprised to find him there. 看到他在那里我们感到很惊奇。

We should "not feel ashamed to ask and learn from people below." 我们要"不耻下问"。

They are eager to take part in the work. 他们亟于参加这个工作。

We were grieved to learn of his death. 听说他去世我们都很悲痛。

She is always ready to help others. 她总是乐于帮助别人。

Be careful not to catch cold. 小心别着凉了。

I don't feel inclined to accept the invitation. 我不太想接受邀请。

You are very kind to say so. 谢谢你这样说。

能用在这类结构中的形容词和过去分词很多，常见的如：happy，lucky, fortunate, unfortunate, pained, ashamed, surprised, grieved, frightened,
shocked, sorry, glad, delighted, able, unable, destined, apt, willing, unwilling, worthy, eager, proud, disappointed, angry, right, anxious,
content, impatient, fit, ready, clever, unwise, naughty, quick, show, prompt, foolish, rude, thoughtless, (in) considerate, cruel, wrong等。

另外，在这种结构中还可以用easy， difficult, hard, comfortable等形容词，这时作句子主语的除了表示人的词外。还可以是表示事物的词：

The girl was easy to get along with. 这女孩很容易相处。

He is worthy to take the position. 他配得上做这项工作。

The question is rather difficult to answer. 这问题相当难回答。

A foreign language is as a rule hard to learn. 外国语一般不好学。

The room is comfortable to live in. 这房间住起来很舒服。

This water is not fit to drink. 这水不适于喝。

Thousands of words are inadequate to express how grateful we are to you. 千言万语也说不尽我们对你的感激之情。

在用这些形容词构成复合宾语时，也能用不定式作状语，如：

We found the house very comfortable to live in. 我们发现这房子住起来很舒服。

I don't think him hard to get along with. 我想他不难相处。

上面讲的句子，有些也可以改为下面这种形式：

This is a very comfortable house to live in. 这是一栋住起来很舒服的房子。

I think him a very nice person to get along with. 我想他是一位容易相处的人。

这时不定式就成了定语。

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注： 下面句子中的不定式也是一种状语：

Take care not to catch cold. 小心别着凉。

He has made up his mind to put his heart and soul into the work. 他决定全心全意投入这项工作。

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当一个句子里带有too或enough这样的词时，我们也常用一个不定式来作状语：

She was too young to understand all that. 她太年轻不能理解这些。

We found the room too small to hold so many people. 我们发现房间太小坐不了这么多人。

I am sorry I am too much in a hurry to talk with you. 对不起，我有急事要办不能和你谈话。

We found the room not big enought to hold so many people. 我们发现这房间不够大，坐不了这么多人。

She was not old enough to understand all that. 她年岁不够大，不能理解这一切。 Have you got enough room to seat all of us? 你们这儿坐得下我们所有这些人吗?

有时在so...as (to)这种结构中也可以用不定式作状语：

Be so kind as to drop in some time when you are free. 什么时候有空希望来我们家玩。

Was he so conceited as not to believe in the wisdom of the masses? 他会这样高傲，不相信群众的智慧?

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注: 有时不定式可以用来说明说话人的态度，对整个句子进行解释：

To tell you the truth, I am not in favour of your plan. 说老实话，我不赞成你的计划。

To be frank, we don't trust him. 坦白地说，我们不信任他。

To be fair, he is not at all an irresponsible man. 说句公道话，他绝对不是一个不负责任的人。

To say the least, their techniques are old-fashioned. 说得再轻点，他们的工艺至少是太老了。

Among writers of his age, he was, so to speak, a giant among dwarfs. 在那时的作家中，他可以说是鹤立鸡群。

这类结构可称为句子状语，也可看作插入语。关于这一点可参阅 520。

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5. 在复合结构中用的不定式

不定式可以和名词(或代词)构成复合结构，作动词的宾语，称为复合宾语：

I didn't expect you to arrive so early. 没想到你来得这么早。

We shouldn't allow such things to happen again. 我们不应允许再发生这样的事。

They encouraged her to try again. 他们鼓励她再试一次。

Her mother forbid her to go out. 她妈妈禁止她出去。

She asked me to call again. 她请我再去一次电话。

May I request you to be present at the ceremony? 我可否请你出席这次仪式?

Would you like us to go with you? 你愿意我们和你一道去吗?

I'll leave him to solve the problem for himself. 我将让他自己去解决这个问题。

He wants you to call him back at 11. 他要你十一点钟给他回电话。

He required us to write clearly. 他要求我们字迹要清楚。

His conscience compelled him to tell the truth. 他的良心促使他讲出了真情。

I'll get someone to repair the recorder for you. 我去找个人来帮你们修录音机。

在很多动词后面都可以有这样的宾语，常见的这类动词有：ask, tell, invite, compel, force, oblige, get, beg, allow, help, wish, want, like, hate, prefer, intend, expect, encourage, advise, persuade, instruct, permit, remind, request, order, command, warn, cause, press, urge等。

在make, let, have, see, hear, watch, notice, feel等动词后的复合宾语中，不定式都不带to：

What made you think like that? 是什么使你这样想?

Let me do it for you. 让我来替你做。

I hate to see you leave so soon. 我真不愿意你这么快就走。

Don't forget to have him come. 别忘了让他来。

I often hear them sing this song. 我常常听到他们唱这首歌。

Suddenly we felt the atmosphere grow tense. 突然我们感到气氛紧张起来。

但这种句子如果变为被动结构。to就不能不要：

She was often seen to act like that． 人们常常看见她这样做。

They were made to work day and night． 他们被迫日夜干活。

像think，consider，believe，suppose，know，feel，find，understand，declare，take这类动词后，也可以有复合宾语，但这种宾语中的不定式短语多由to be加一形容词构成：

They believed there principles to be universally true. 他们认为这些原则是普遍适用的。

He doesn't consider that to be important. 他并不认为这很重要。

Many people supposed him to be dead. 很多人都以为他死了。

I felt them to be right. 我觉得他们是对的。

They found the answer to be quite satisfactory. 他们对答复感到很满意。

She imagined herself to be superior to others. 她自以为比别人都高明。

这种结构在书面语中用得较多，在口语中多用宾语从句。在个别动词(如think，consider，find)后，不用to be，直接用形容词也可以：

They found the answer quite satisfactory.

在某些成语动词(如wait for，call on，count upon，vote for，rely on，depend upon，long for，prevail upon，care for等)后面，我们也可以用这样的复合宾语，如：

The government called on us to increase production. 政府号召我们增加生产。

You can count on us to give you full support. 你们放心，我们将给你们全力支持。

We'll vote for Peter to be our monitor. 我们将投票彼得的票，让他作班长。

We are all longing for the new term to begin. 我们都渴望新学期开始。

在listen to和look at后面的复合宾语中，不定式常不带to：

She listened to the rain patter on the window-panes. 她倾听着雨水敲打着玻璃窗。

It is quite amusing to look at (=watch) other people play chess. 看别人下棋很有意思。

****************************

注： 在help后，不定式可以带to也可以不带to：

Can anyone help me (to) carry the suitcase upstairs?

She will help (to) mend the coat for you.

****************************

上面谈到的这类句子，有时可以变为被动结构：

The students are always encouraged to put forward their views. 我们总是鼓励学生提出自己的看法。

You are requested to be present at an English evening to be held at the school auditorium on Friday, at 7p.m.

谨订于本星期五晚七点在本礼堂举行英语晚会，请出席指导。

The situation was found to be quite encouraging. 形势看来很使人鼓舞。

Finally she was prevailed upon to take the job. 最后她被说服接受了这个工作。

Who can be depended upon to carry on the work? 可以依靠什么人来进行这个工作。

除了上面这些带复合结构的句子外，还有两类复合结构的句子。一类是以be said，be reported，be known，seem，happen，prove，appear等构成谓语的句子：

He is said to be from a peasant family. (It is said that he is from a peasant family.)

据说他出身农民家庭。

The movenment was reported to be in full swing. (It was reported that the movement was in full swing.)

据报导这运动正全面展开。

She doesn't seem to have enough confidence in herself. (It seems that she doesn't have enough confidence in herself.)

她似乎对自己没有充分信心。

The country is known to be rich in natural resources. (It is known that the country is rich in natural resources.) 据

了解这个国家有丰富的自然资源。

一类是以be likely，be certain，be sure，be unlikely，be destined等构成谓语的句子：

They are likely to be on the school farm now. (It is likely that they are on the school farm now.) 他们现在多半在学校农场里。

She is unlikely to come back this week. (It is unlikely that she will come back this week.) 她这星期回来的可能 性不大。

On our road of advance we are bound to meet with difficulties. 在我们前进的道路上我们肯定会碰到困难。

Victory is sure to be ours. 胜利一定属于我们。

The growth in demand is certain to drive up the price. 需求的增长一定会使价格升高。

在这两节的句子中，不定式和前面的动词构成复合谓语，这问题在句法中再详细讨论。

******************************

注： 不定式与助动词或情态动词构成谓语的情况第十一章中已说得很多，这里就不再谈了。另外在I don't think it advisable to start so early.这样的句子中，不定式也是用来和别的词构成复合宾语，已经在第217节中讲到，这里也不再讲了。另外下面句子也可说包含一个复合谓语：

How did you get to know it? 你怎么知道的?

Now I'm coming to see it more and more clearly. 现在我看得越来越清楚了。

6. 不定式的完成式、进行式和完成进行式

不定式的一般形式所表示的动作，通常与主要谓语所表示的动作(状态)同时(或几乎同时)发生(a)，或是在它之后发生(b)：

a. Who heard him say that? 谁听见他说这话的?

Tell her we shall be delighted to come． 告诉她我们会很高兴来的。

We rejoiced to see her back． 我们看到她回来了都很高兴。

b. They invited us to go there this summer． 他们邀请我们今年夏天到那儿去。

She is waiting to hear your answer． 她在等着听你的答复。

They arranged to start early． 他们安排好早动身。

假如不定式所表示的动作，在谓语所表示的动作(状态)之前发生，这不定式就要用完成式，如：

I am glad to have seen your mother. (= I am glad I have seen your mother.) 我很高兴，见到了你的妈妈。

(比较：I am glad to see you. 看到你真高兴。)

不定式的完成式常用来：

1)构成复合谓语：

He is said to have written a new book about workers. (It is said that he has written a new book about workers.)

据说他又写了一本关于工的书。

The enemy was reported to have surrendered. (It was reported that the enemy had surrendered.)

据报道敌人投降了。

She seemed to have heard about it already. (It seemed that she had already heard about it.)

她似乎已听到这事了。

I happened to have come across the book once. (It happened that I had come across the book once.)

我碰巧有一次见过这本书。

She is not likely to have got our letter. (It is not likely that she has got our letter.)

她多半还没接到我们的信。

2)在某些作表语用的形容词后作状语：

You are lucky to have got tickets to the concert.

(You are lucky that you have got tickets to the concert.) 你运气好弄到了音乐会的票。

I am very pleased to have been of help. 能够帮得上忙我很高兴。

I am sorry to have given you so much trouble. (I am sorry I have given you so much trouble.)

对不起给你添了这么多麻烦。

He felt ashamed to have done such a thing.

他很惭愧做了这样的事。

She was very glad to have done something for the community.

她很高兴为社会做了点事。

3) 在某些动词后作宾语：

He pretended not to have seen me. 他假装没看见我。

I regret to have been the cause of all this trouble. 我很抱歉引起了这么多麻烦。

We interded to have included your name in the list. 我们本来预备把你的名字列入名单的。

I meant to have told you about it, but I forgot to do so. 我本想告诉你的，可是我忘记了。

I should like to have bought one. 我本想买一本(个)的。

He expects to have written it tomorrow morning. 他估计明天早上可以写好。

间或也可以作主语(a)，定语(b)或构成复合宾语(c)：

a．It has been a privilege to have travelled so much in your country.

在贵国游览了这么多地方是很难得的。

It was a great satisfaction to have revisited our native village.

重访了家乡是非常愉快的事。

b. It was the first book to have appeared on the subject. 这

是第一本关于这门学科的书。

So you are the one to have cleaned all these rooms.

原来这些房间都是你打扫的。

It is one of the rare examples of this type of painting to have survived.

它是这类画仅存的少数样品之一。

They thought it a pity not to have invited her.

他们没有请她感到很遗憾。

She felt it an honour to have taken part in the work.

参加了这项工作她感到很荣幸。

**********************

注1: 不定式的完成形式也有时和情态动词构成谓语：

She may have lost your telephone number. 她可能忘了你的电话号码了。

He must have missed the train. 他准是误车了。

How could you have read so much in such a short time?

在这么短时间内你怎么可能看了这么多书?

这一用法在211中已经讨论了，这里就不再多谈。另外，to be有时可以和一不定式的完成形式构成谓语，表示一个想做而未做的事：

He was to have given the first talk, but he came late. 他本来第一个发言，但来晚了。

The plane was to have taken off at six, but something went wrong.

飞机本来在六点起飞的，但出了故障。

注2： 在不定式的完成形式后有时可以跟一个表示过去时间的状语：

He may have left last Monday. 他可能星期一就走了。

He is believed to have left last Monday. 据信他星期一已经走了

这是和现在完成时不同的。

***************************

如果主要谓语表示的动作(情况)发生时，不定式表示的动作正在进行，这时不定式就要用进行式。不定式的进行式主要可以用来：

1)构成复合谓语：

You are not supposed to be working. You haven't quite recovered yet.

你现在不应当工作，你的病还没有完全好哩。

They are said to be building another bridge across the river.

据说他们正在这条河上修另一座大桥。

They seem to be getting along quite well. 他们似乎相处得很好。

I happened to be going that way too. 我洽好也是到那儿去.

How did you come to be working here? 你怎么来到这儿工作的?

2)在某些动词后构成复合宾语：

We didn't expect you to be waiting for us here. 我们没想到你在这儿等我们。

Of course we should like everything to be going smoothly. 当然我们愿意一切都进行得很顺利。

"Tom, I don't want you to be idling your time away like that." said the old man. 老头说："汤姆，我不愿意你把时间这样瞎混掉。"

3)在某些动词后作宾语：

He pretended to be listening attentively. 他假装专心听讲的样子。

She wished to be travelling around too like them. 她希望也和他们一样到处游历。

Of course he doesn't like to be lagging behind the others. 他当然不愿意像现在这样落在别人后面。

You don't need to be worrying about her. She is safe at home. 你这样为她着急完全多余，她好好地在家里哩。

间或也可以用作状语(a)，或主语(b)：

a. I am glad to be working with you. 和你在一道工作我很高兴。

How fortunate (I am) to be living here! 生活在这里多么幸福!

b. It feels wonderful to be working out of doors in such weather. 这样天气在外面劳动很舒服。

It's nice of you to be thinking of us. 难为你想着我们。

***********************

注: 不定式的进行式有时也可以表示一个反复发生的动作，这时带有感情色彩(关于这一点可参阅142)：

It's remarkable of her to be always working like that.

她总是这样工作，真不错。

I don't like you to be constantly arguing about trifles.

我不喜欢你们老为一些小事争论不休。

**********************

在上节所讲的许多结构中，如果不定式表示的不是正在进行的动作，而是在谓语所表示时间之前一直进行的动作，就需要用完成进行形式：

a. They are said to have been collecting folk songs in Yunnan.

(It's said that they have been collecting folk songs in Yunnan.)

据说他们直在云南收集民歌。

The struggle was known to have been going on for over twenty years.

据悉这个斗争已进行二十多年了。

b. They suspected us to have been quarrelling.

他们还疑心我们刚吵过架哩。

c. She wished to have been studying as hard as the others.

她真愿意过去也像其他人那样努力学习。

d. We are happy (It's been a great pleasure) to have been working with you.

我们很高兴这一段时间和你们在一起工作。

*****************************

注：不定式的进行形式和完成进行形式也可以用在谓语中：

Don't be making such a great noise, children. 孩子们，别这样闹。

They must have been discussing something important. 他们刚才准是在讨论什么重要的事。

*****************************

7. 不定式的被动形式

当不定式的逻辑上的主语是这不定式所表示的动作的承受者时，不定式一般要用被动形式。这种形式可以用来：

1)作主语：

It is an honour for me to be asked to speak here. 我很荣幸被邀在这里讲话。

Is it possible for our hopes to be realized? We believe it is. 我们的希望能实现吗? 我们相信是可以的。

It's necessary for us to be constantly reminded of our shortcomings. 经常有人提醒自己注意缺点是必要的。

2)作宾语：

She asked to be sent to work in Tibet. 她请求派她到西藏去工作。

He preferred to be assigned some heavier work to do. 他宁愿给他些更重的工作做。

She hated to be flattered. 她讨厌受人奉承。

3)构成复合宾语：

He wanted the letter to be typed at once． 他让把信马上打好。

She didn't like herself to be praised like that. 她不喜欢自己受到那样的赞扬。

He didn't expect the book to be so well received. 他没想到这本书会受到这样的欢迎。

4)构成复合谓语：

This is bound to be found out. 这准会被人发现。

The books are not allowed to be taken out of the room. 这些书不许携出室外。

The date is expected to be announced soon. 估计日期不久就会宣布。

5)作定语：

Are you going to the banquet to be given at the embassy?

你准备参加大使馆举行的宴会吗?

There are a lot of things to be done. 有很多事要做。

It was the first such project to be designed by Chinese engineers.

这是中国工程师设计的第一个这类工程。

The questions to be answered are on page 32. 需回答的问题在第32页上。

6)作状语：

The kids went to the hospital to be inoculated. 孩子们到医院去种牛痘去了。

She was too young to be assigned such work. 她年纪太小，不适宜把这工作交她做。

就是逻辑上的主语不出现，只要在意思上是被动的，这不定式仍然要用被动式：

It's a great honour to be elected a model teacher. 选为模范教师是很大的荣誉。

To be criticized might be a good thing. 受批评可能是件好事。

不定式有时还可以有完成式的被动式，在句中用作主语(a)，宾语(b)，或构成复合宾语(c)，或复合谓语(d)，间或用作定语(e):

a. It is a good thing for him to have been criticized. 他受到批评是件好事。

b. She preferred to have been given heavier work to do. 她宁愿分给她的是更重的工作。

c. They knew him to have once been arrested by the police. 他们知道他被警察逮捕过。

He thought it an honour to have been invited to the party. 被邀参加晚会他感到很荣幸。

d. The book is said to have been translated into many languages. 这书据说已被译成好几种语言。

He is not likely to have been notified about it. 这事多半还没有通知他。

e. She was the first woman to have been elected to such a post. 她是第一个选上这样位置的妇女。

这时，这不定式表示的是一个比谓语动作发生得更早的动作。

*********************************

注：不定式的被动式用来构成谓语的情况在179中已经讲到，这里就不谈了。

*********************************

在某些结构中不定式虽然表示被动的意思，用的却是主动形式：

a. He has no one to take care of. 没有什么人需要他照顾。

(比较：He has no one to take care of him. 没有谁照顾他。)

We still have many difficulties to overcome. 我们还有很多困难要克服。

b. Give him some books to read. 给他点书看。

He'll show you the right path to take. 他将告诉你该走什么道路。

c. They found the lecture hard to understand. 他们发现这报告不好懂。

I don't consider that a proper thing to do. 我想这不是正确的做法。

d. It is a hard nut (for one) to crack. 这是一个棘手的问题。

He is not easy (for anyone) to convince. 他不容易被说服。

在这些句子中，虽然不定式与最近的名词(代词)有动宾关系，但与句子中另一个名词(代词)却可能有主谓关系，如前三类情况都是如此，这或许是用主动形式的原因。在a，b两类句子中，如果没有这种主谓关系，不定式就仍以用被动式较好，如：

a． Have you anything to be taken to the city (by me or someone else)?

你有什么东西需要(让我或其他人)带到城里去?

I have no more letters to be typed, thank you.

谢谢你，我没有什么信要打了。

b. Please give me the books to be distributed among the students.

请把要发给学生的书交给我。

Let me show you the room to be used as the teacher's readingroom.

我来带你去看看要用作教员阅读室的那个房间吧。

另外，在以there is (are)引起的句子中，用来修饰主语的不定式可以用被动式，也可以用主动形式：

There is no time to lose (to be lost). 时间紧迫，不能耽误了。

There are still many things to take of (to be taken care of). 还有好些事要处理。

Are there any more items to put (to be put) on the agenda? 还有什么别的项目该列入议程？

在口语中用主动形式的时候更多一些。但有时候两种形式可能表示不同的意思，如：

There is nothing to do now. (We have nothing to do now.) 现在没事儿干。

There is nothing to done now. (We can do nothing now 现在没有什么办法了。

There is nothing to see (nothing worth seeing). 没有东西值得看。 

There nothing to be seen (nothing there at all)． 看不见有什么东西。

*******************************

注：在下面类型的句子中，to let, to blame, to seek等不定式，都是主动形式，却有被动意思：

The house is to let. 房子要出租。

Who is to blame for it? 这得怪谁?

The reason is not far to seek. 这理由不难找到。

8 有关不定式短语结构的几个问题

在使用不定式短语时，如果有必要，我们可以用以 引起的短语来表示它逻辑上的主语。带有这种短语的不定式结构，可以用来：

1)作主语：

It is now rare for anyone to be absent without leave. 擅自缺席的情况现在很少了。

How would it be for me to look after the machine? 我来看这台机器怎么样?

2)作宾语：

I don't think it advisable for him to study medicine. 我看他学医不合适。

Do you consider it worthwhile for them to make that experiment?

你认为他们做这试验值得吗?

3)作定语：

We'd better find some work for the children to do. 最好找点工作给孩子们做。

There are a lot of difficulties for them to overcome. 多困难需要他们克服。

4)作状语：

I stepped aside for her to pass. 我站到一边让她过去。

The text is too long for us to learn by heart.

课文太长，我们记不住。

They arranged for her to do light work in the factory.

安排她在厂里干轻活。

5)作表语：

The best thing would be for us to build the skating-rink with our own hands．

最好是我们自己动手修溜冰场。

This is for you to decide. 这得由你决定。

Another solution was for them to take charge of it jointly. 另一个办法是让他们共同负责。

不定式短语，在某些情况下，前面可以带一个连接代(副)词。这种不定式结构接近一个名词从句，常用在某些动词(如：tell, show, know, decide, teach, learn, discuss, wonder, remember, find out, explain, forget)等后面作宾语：

He will advise you whether to do it. 是否要这样做他会给你出主意的。

We'd better find out where to put it.

我们最好了解一下应放在哪里。

Have you decided when to hold the party?

你们决定没有什么时候举办这个晚会?

She will tell you which bus to take. 她会告诉你坐哪路公共汽车。

Do you know how to express the idea in English?

你知不知道这意思英文怎样表达?

也可用在某些介词后作宾语：

They exchanged views on the question of whom to elect.

他们就选举谁的问题交换了意见。

They were at a loss as to how to meet the situation.

他们惊惶失措，不知如何应付这一局面。

I was thinking of how to fulfil our task.

我在考虑如何完成我们的任务。

They did research on how to raise the forage yield.

进行研究如何提高饲料产量。

有时介词可能省略掉：

We enquired (about) where to go. 我们询问该到哪里去。

I was careful (over) what to say. 我很注意该说些什么。

有时也可以作主语(a)，表语(b)，状语(c)或同位语(d)：

a. It is not yet decided whether to build the dam here.

是否在这里修水坝还没决定。

How to divide labour among ourselves will be discussed at the meeting.

如何分工将在会上讨论。

b. The question is how to put the plan into practice.

问题是如何把这计划讨诸实施。

c. She was at a loss (as to) what to do. 她不知如何是好。

I had no idea which one to take. 我不知道拿哪个好。

d. The question whether to confess troubled the girl.

是否要坦白的问题使姑娘很烦恼。

不过用这种结构作主语、表话或状语的时候不及用从句的时候多。在没有把握的时候，最好不要用这种结构，用从句反而容易一些。上面句子中的这种结构都
可以用从句代替：

It is not decided whether we should build the dam here． 没决定是不是把大坝修在这儿。

The question is how we are to put the plan into practice. 她不知道怎样办

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注：在口语中我们有时会听到Where to go now? What to do next? 这样的句子，但有些语法家觉得这样说不太好。但Why do it this way? Why not do it today? 这类句子已被公认是正确英语了。

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to是不定式常常带有的一个小品词(particle)，但在下面情况下，它总是被省略掉的：

1)在一般的助动词或情态动词(如do，will，shall，would, should，can，may，must等)后面：

"May I come in?""Yes, please." "能进来吗?""请进。"

但在ought, have和be后不能省略。

2)在带有复合宾语的某些动词(如make，let，watch，see，hear，notice，feel，have，listen to等)后面：

I'll have my daughter mend the shirt for you. 我来让我女儿给你补衬衫。

在help后面的不定式可以要to，也可以不要。

3)在why引起的下面这类问句中：

why spend such a lot of money? 为什么要花这么多钱?

Why bother? 费这心干吗?

Why worry about such trifles? 干吗为这些小事发愁?

Why not wait for a couple of days? 干吗不等一两天?

Why not do it right now? 何不现在就干?

why not let her have a try? 何不让她试试?

4)在had better， had best， would rather， would rather...than， would sooner， would sooner...than， cannot but， do nothing but等结构后面：

You'd better remain where you are． 你最好待在你现在待的这地方。

I would (had) rather not see him. 我宁愿不去见他。

They would rather try and fail than give up the plan．

他们宁愿尝试不成功也不愿放弃这个计划。

We preferred to put the meeting off rather than hold it without adequate preparation．

我们情愿延期开会，而不愿意没有充分准备就开。

I'd sooner take a taxi than walk. 我宁愿坐出租车去而不是走着去。

I cannot but agree to his terms. 我只好同意他的条件。

She was so resolute that we couldn't but let her try.

她是那样坚决，我们不得不让她去试一下。

Now there was nothing he could do except admit defeat. 现在他只有认输。

All I could do was go home. 我只好回家。

My grandfather could do nothing but wait for the doctor to arrive.

我祖父没有别的办法，只好等医生来。

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注：在下面这类句子中作表语的不定式可带to，也可不带to：

What we must do is (to) make a draft plan. 我们该做的事是起草一个计划草案。

All I wanted to do was (to) help them. 我只不过是要帮助他们。

但：All I wanted was to help them. (比较：I wanted to help them.)

***********************

有时to和不定式中间可以插入一个副词，如：

They have started a drive to further improve the miners' working conditions.

他们开始做一番努力，来进一步改善矿工的工作条件。

He was too ill to really carry out his duty.

他病得太重，不能真正履行他的职责。

He likes to half close his eyes. 他喜欢半闭着眼睛。

I am glad to always find her in high spirits. 我很高兴老看到她情绪高昂。

Mother asks you to kindly come over and see us some day this week.

妈请你烦神这星期哪天到我们这儿来一趟。

只有在意思上绝对有必要把副词紧搁在动词前面时才这样做，一般(特别是在口语中)总避免这样，而把副词放在后面，或是放在 to前面。事实上也只有少数副词能插在to和后面的不定式之间。 有时为了避免重复前面的动词，可以把一个不定式省 略掉，单留下一个to：

I shall go if I want to. 如果我想去我就去。

Will you come? I'd love to. 你来吗? 我愿意来。

You don't know her? You ought to. 你不认识她? 你应该认识她。

"Will you join me in a walk?""I'll be glad to."

"你愿意来和我一块儿去散散步吗?""愿意。"

"Do you want to give a talk on that subject?" "I prefer not to."

"你想就那个题目给大家谈谈吗?""我想不谈为好。"

You'd better give a performance if they should ask you to.

 如果他们要求你表演一个节目，你最好表演一个。

You can do it this way if you care to. 要是你乐意的话，可以这样做。

Did you get a ticket? No, I tried to, but there weren't any left.

你买到票了吗？ 没有，我去买来着，但卖完了。

在某些个别情况下，to可以保留也可以不保留，如：

He says he will come as soon as he has got a chance (to). 他说一有机会就来。

They won't encourage you to do it even if you have the time (to).

你就是有时间做这事他们也不会鼓励你做的。

She may go if she likes (to). 她如果想去可以去。

在少数句子中常常不带to，如：

You may go if you like. 你高兴的话可以去。

She wants to come but her parents won't let her (come)．

她想来但是她父母不让她来。

在used to, be going to, mean to, ought to, try to, plan to等结构中，当不定式给省略掉时，to通常都是保留的。当两个(或更多)作用相同的不定式并列使用时，我们常常只在第一个不定式前加to，在后面的不定式前不加：

She decided to remain in the enemy rear and carry on underground work.

她决定留在敌后干地下工作。

It is quite necessary for us to read more and have more practice.

我们多读一些，多做些练习是非常必要的。

She told the child to stay there and wait till she came back.

她让孩子待在那里等她回来。

但是，如果两者有对比关系，那么，每个前面就都得加to：

To try and fail is better than not to try at all.

尝试而失败总比不尝试好。

He hasn't decided whether to go home or to stay at school during the vacation.

他没决定假期是回家还是留在学校里。

Wouldn't it be better for her to continue to do this work than to take up something new?

让她继续做这工作，而不另外做新的工作是不是更好一些?