英語中有多種結構可以用來表示“未曾實現(xiàn)的愿望、意圖或打算”,現(xiàn)歸納如下:
1.“動詞的過去完成時形式+動詞不定式的一般式”結構表示“過去未曾實現(xiàn)的愿望”時,只適用于 hope,expect,think,mean,intend,suppose,want,plan等動詞作謂語時。例如:
I had hoped to come to help you. Something happened to me. That’s why I didn’t come.我本希望能來幫助你,但我出了點事,所以沒有來。
I had meant to go away but couldn’t get rid of the children.
我本想走開,但是我擺脫不了這群孩子。
2.“hope(expect,think,mean,intend,suppose,want,plan等動詞)的過去式 +動詞不定式的完成式”結構表示“過去未曾實現(xiàn)的愿望”。例如:
I wanted to have seen you off at the airport but I got there too late.我本來想到機場送你,但是我到那里太遲了。
Tom hoped to have come,but he was too busy at that time.
湯姆本想來的,但當時他太忙了,抽不出時間。
3.“動詞的過去式+賓語+動詞不定式的完成式”結構表示“過去未曾實現(xiàn)的愿望”,這一用法常用于 expect,want,mean,intend等動詞作謂語時。例如:My father expected me to have studied medicine,but I joined the army.我父親本來指望我學醫(yī)的,但是我卻參軍了。
We meant them to have acted like that.我們原打算讓他們這樣干的。
4.用“think,expect,suppose,hope,believe等動詞的過去完成時形式+賓語從句”表示“過去未曾實現(xiàn)的意圖、打算或希望等”。例如:
I had thought that he died 20 years ago.我原以為他20年前就去世了。
They had hoped that they would be able to see more of Beijing,but time didn’t permit.他們本來希望在北京多看些地方,但時間不允許。
5.“was/were+動詞不定式的完成式”結構表示“過去未曾實現(xiàn)的愿望”?!皐as/were+動詞不定式的一般式”與上下文中的動詞過去式搭配,也能表示“過去未曾實現(xiàn)的愿望”。例如:
Alice was to have given the first talk,but she came late.
愛麗斯本來要第一個發(fā)言,但她來晚了。
The plane was to take off / to have taken off at six,but something went wrong.飛機本來六點起飛,但是出了故障。
注意:“was / were+動詞不定式的完成式”結構有時含有“本應該”的意味,相當于“was / were supposed to”。例如:
They were to have come here at eight,but they were late.
他們本應該八點鐘到這兒的,但他們遲到了。
6.用“was/were going+動詞不定式”結構與上下文中的動詞過去式搭配,可以表示“過去未實現(xiàn)的意圖或打算”。例如:
“Tom,why didn’t you come to the meeting yesterday?”
“湯姆,你為什么昨天沒來參加會?”
“I was going to,but my car broke down.”
“我是打算來參加會的,但我的車拋錨了?!?/p>
I was going to call you last night,but the heavy rain prevented me.
昨晚我本來要去拜訪你的,但一場大雨使我未能成行。
7.用“was/were+about+動詞不定式”結構表示“過去未曾實現(xiàn)的意圖”。
例如:I was about to go out, but it began to rain.
我本來要出去的,但天開始下起雨來。
Mike was about to begin,but John spoke first.
邁克正要開始發(fā)言,但約翰先講了。
8.用動詞的過去進行時表示“未曾實現(xiàn)的安排”。例如:
I was telephoning him,but he came.我本來打算給他打電話的,但他來了。
We were interviewing the headmaster the next afternoon,but he went to Wuhan on business.
我們本打算在第二天下午采訪那位校長的,但他去武漢出差了。
9.“wish+動詞不定式的完成式”結構表示“過去未曾實現(xiàn)的愿望”。例如:
“ Have you watched the TV play?”“你看過這部電視劇嗎?”
“No,but I wished to have(watched it).”“沒有,我本來想看的。”
I wished to have visited the Great Wall last Sunday but my mother fell ill;I had to look after her.
上星期天我本想去參觀長城的,但我母親病倒了,我不得不照料她。
10.“wish +(that)+主語+動詞的過去完成時”結構表示“過去未曾實現(xiàn)的愿望”。例如:
I wish I had taken your advice.我當初聽了你的話就好了。
We wish we had arrived there two hours earlier.
我們要是早兩個小時到達那里就好了。