For there ____ successful communication, there must be attentiveness and involvement in the discussion itself by all present. A. is B. to be C. will be D. being(全国研考,96-8)
标准答案为 B(to be)。但我无论如何也弄不明白 for there to be 到底是个什么结构。
要想深入理解这个结构,首先必须知道,带 to 的动词不定式可以用作目的状语:
To complete their task ahead of schedule, they are working day and night. 为了提前完成任务，他们在日夜奋战着。
其次,要知道可以用介词 for 来引入动词不定式的逻辑主语:
Tom opened the window for the fresh air to come in. 汤姆打开窗户，(以便)让新鲜空气进来。
第三要知道 there 在许多方面具有主语的语法特征。这一点是理解上述结构的关键。例如：
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Is there any more soup? (CGEL) (there 取主语的位置) 还有汤吗?
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I don't want there to be any misunderstanding. (UGE) (作 to be 的形式上的逻辑主语) 我不希望有任何误解。
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He was disappointed at there being so little to do. (UGE) (作 being 形式上的逻辑主语) 可做的事那么少, 他感到很失望。
因此,亦可用介词 for 引入 there,使之充当 to be 或 being 形式上的逻辑主语:
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It is impossible for there to be any more. (Palmer) 不可能再有了。
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For there to be life there must be air and water. (ALD) 要有生命, 就必须有空气和水。
[试题句意]为了成功地进行交流,所有参加者都必须认真倾听并参与讨论。请做下面的英语试题:
- The students expected there ____ more reviewing classes before the final exams.
A. is B. being C. have been D. to be(全国研考,91-30)
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It isn't cold enough for there ____ a frost tonight, so I can leave Jim's car out quite safely. A. would be B. being C. was D. to be(全国研考,94-9)
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It is not uncommon for there ____ problems of communication between the old and the young.
A. being B. would be C. be D. to be(全国英语专业四级,07-63)