核心问题
The results are even more serious: for where there are trees their roots break the soil up — allowing the rain to sink in — and also bind the soil, thus preventing its being washed away easily. 我没有搞明白 its being washed 的结构和意义。
词典解答
其中的 being washed 是动名词的被动形式,而 its(it 的所有格)是它的逻辑主语。整个结构作现在分词 preventing 的直接宾语(参见 gerund )。类例: I heard the noise of desks being opened and closed. 我听见打开书桌和关上书桌的声音。
练习题
请做下面的英语试题： Nowhere in nature is aluminum found free, owing to its always ____ with other elements, most commonly with oxygen. A. combined B. having combined C. combine D. being combined(全国研考,97-2)