核心问题
He ordered the work ____.
A. started at once B. to be started at once C. to start at once D. at once start《新高考英语必考语法精析》(商务印书馆国际有限公司, p. 199) 给的答案是 B。但是您的大作《英语常见问题解答大词典》给的答案却是 be started at once。究竟孰是孰非？
词典解答
这里涉及到及物动词 order 的两个不同的结构：
A. order that he should be(英国英语)/he be(美国英语)。例句，见 demand that。
B. order sb. to do sth. 和 order sb. or sth. (to be) done:
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The king ordered the soldier to kill himself. 国王命令这个士兵自尽。
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He ordered the gate to be locked. 他命令把大门锁上。
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The officer ordered him arrested. 这位军官下令把他抓了起来。
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He ordered the beaches closed. 他命令关闭海滨浴场。
由此可以证明,在上题中用 to be started at once 和(should) be started at once 都是正确的。