核心问题
在非真实条件句中,可以用三种形式来指将来时间:1. 过去虚拟式,2. should + 不定式,3. were to + 不定式。请问,它们之间有何区别?
词典解答
根据美国语言学家 G. O. Curme 的解释, 三者的基本意义是相同的, 区别点只是表现在可能性的大小上。过去虚拟式表达的可能性最大, should + 动词原形次之, were to + 动词原形表达的可能性最小。
-
If it rained/should rain/were to rain tomorrow, I wouldn't go. 如果明天下雨, 我就不去了。
-
If we missed/should miss/were to miss the train we should have to wait an hour at the station. (Curme) 如果我们误了火车,我们就得在车站上等一个小时。
-
If he should fail, I would help him. 如果他失败,我会帮助他的。
-
If the sun were to rise in the west, I would not do so. 如果太阳从西边出来,我就不干这个了。
-
What would you do if war were to break out? (PEU) 如果战争爆发,你怎么办呢?