摘要:[English] Tense
- 時態
過去完成式: 某項動作是在過去另一動作之前完成的, 或者表達未實現的願望
過去進行式: 過去特定時間正在發生某件事, 或者表達委婉的建議或要求
簡單過去式: 事件發生於過去一個已知的時間點
現在完成式: 事件發生於過去一個未知的時間點, 或事件尚未結束, 常與for, since, yet, already, recently, lately連
現在完成進行式: 事件從過去開始到現在仍在進行, 常與for months, all day, for a long time, since this morning連用
She had already left for New York when I arrived at the airport.
Mike left for London before I arrived at his house. 句中有before/after, 就不需要使用過去完成式
I wish you had told me Mike was going to be late.
Mike lived in San Francisco for 10 years. Mike在舊金山住了十年, 但現在已不住那了
Mike has lived in San Francisco for 10 years. Mike十年前搬到舊金山去了, 現在仍住在舊金山
The competition has been gaining market share for several months. 幾個月前競爭對手開始搶攻市場佔用率, 且現在仍繼續搶攻中
- was/were hoping/wondering/thinking 用以表達委婉的建議或要求
S + was/were hoping + to + V
S + was/were hoping + (that) + S + could/might/would + V
Do you know when Mr. Smith will be back in the office?
I was hoping to speak with him today.
I was hoping I could speak with him today.
S + was/were wondering + wh-/if + S + could/might/would + V
I was wondering when we could meet
I was wondering if we could meet later this afternoon.
S + was/were thinking + (that) + S + should/could/might/would/ought to + V
I was thinking we could meet when I'm in London next week.
- 不實條件句
If + S + were/過去式動詞, S + would + V
If I were you, I would stay home.
If I knew the phone number, I would call to check on the order.
- 可能性, 必要性, 建議
| 現在 | 未來 | ||
| 可能性 | 肯定 | must, should, may, might, could | should, may, might |
| 否定 | mustn't, can't, couldn't, mayn't, mightn't | mayn't, mightn't | |
| 必要性 | 肯定 | must, have to, need to, have got to | had to, need to |
| 建議 | 肯定 | had beter, should, ought to, | |
| 否定 | better not, should not |
must: 九成的可能性, 但不能用來表達未來的可能性
should: 七成至八成的可能性
may/might/could: 三成至七成的可能性
mustn't/can't/couldn't: 確定不是真的
mayn't/mightn't: 猜測不是真的
mustn't/can't/couldn't/shouldn't: 不能用來表達未來的不可能性
must: 常用於寫作, 表示絕對不允許
have to, have got to: 常用於口語
must, have got to: 不能用來表達過去的必要性
had better: 用來提供較強烈的建議, 暗示若不按照建議行事會有負面的結果
ought to: 不能用來表達否定的建議
had better: 不能用於疑問句
- Sound/Look/Seem/Feel
sound/look/seem/feel + adj
sound/look/seem/feel + like + S + V
feel/seem + (that) + S + V
Does that sound like a good idea to you?
The conference room looks empty.
It seems like there's some confusion in the department.
I don't feel that expanding is a good idea.
- Either..or/Neither..nor
either..or: 兩個選一個
neither..nor: 兩個都不要, 已有否定意味, 所以不需要再使用not
Either you can come with us or you can stay home.
Neither Jeff nor Anita decided to come. Jeff和Anita都決定不來
- Cause&Effect
because/Since/as + S + V
because of/due to + NP
The workers wnet home because the plant closed.
Due to the closing of the plant, the workers went home. 原因置於句首, 要用逗點與其餘句子分開
- 比較級 V 最高級
單音節, 加er/est
雙音節且字尾為y, 去y加ier/iest
雙音節組字尾不為y, 或雙音節以上, 加more/most
He is more important than the CEO.
I'd like to tell you about the three companies that are the most promising.
- 定冠詞 V 不定冠詞
定冠詞: 說話者和聽者都知道所討論的事物
The +單數/複數名詞
不定冠詞: 只有說話者知道所討論的事物, 或是雙方都不知道
A + 單數子音發音開頭名詞
An + 單數母音發音開頭名詞
Some + 複數/不可數名詞
續兩次提到某一名詞, 第一次提及時, 該名詞前面要加不定冠詞
The called the manufacturer for a price quote. They faxed us the quote the same day we requested it.
- 指示代名詞
通常用來指一種概念或想法, 口語常用that's
Are you saying that the company needs to expand? That's right.
What about expanding our product line? That might work.
- 數量詞
a number of(=many) + 可數名詞
a considerable/significant number o
a great deal of + 不可數名詞
a considerable/significant amount of + 不可數名詞
hardly any(very few) + 複數可數名詞/不可數名詞