英语讲义【107】寻常时态的不寻常用法
一般人对英语里基本时态的意义和用法都没有什么问题，但是未必每个人都对某些寻常时态的特殊用法有足够的体会。
请看下面这三种情形：
Ⅰ 现在简单时态
⒈现在简单时态可以用来表示未来的动作或活动，但这活动必须事先已有计划，如：
● The plane to Hawaii leaves at 10 tonight.
● The British Prime Minister arrives at 8 tomorrow morning.
这样的不寻常时态里的动词通常只限于来和往之类的活动，不是任何动词都适用。
⒉现在简单时态也可用来取代时间副词分句（adverb clauses of time）或条件副词分句（adverb clauses of condition）中的现在未来时态，如：
● Lets wait until all the guests come.
● If it rains tomorrow, we cant go fishing.
理论上可以说until all the guests will come和if it will rain tomorrow，但实际句子里，并不如此。
⒊现在简单时态有时可以用来代替现在过去时态，使所叙述的事物更现实、更灵活，如：
● Alexander Pope says, A little learning is a dangerous thing.
● The Chinese proverb has it, God helps those who help themselves.
只有在特殊情况下，才用这种时态；否则，过去的事， 只好用过去时态，比较妥当。
Ⅱ 现在进行时态
⒈现在进行时态可以用来表示未来的节目或已策划的活动，如：
● They are going downtown this afternoon.
● I am seeing an old friend tonight.
⒉现在进行时态，也和副词always, continually, constantly等连用以表示不断重复的举动，言下有不胜其烦之感，如：
● Janet is always complaining.
● Why are you continually finding fault with our new system?
● Strange! The weather here is constantly changing.
Ⅲ 过去简单时态
⒈过去简单时态可用来表示目前不易实现的假设或愿望，如：
● lf I were you, I would join that activity.
● I wish I had better luck next time.
⒉过去简单时态也可以用来代替现在简单时态，以表示礼貌，如：
● Could you tell me how to go to the library?
● I would appreciate it if you could help me.
● Would you mind lending me your pen for a while?
上述寻常时态的不寻常用法，如果用得恰当，肯定可以增添英语的灵活性。
一般人对英语里基本时态的意义和用法都没有什么问题，但是未必每个人都对某些寻常时态的特殊用法有足够的体会。
请看下面这三种情形：
Ⅰ 现在简单时态
⒈现在简单时态可以用来表示未来的动作或活动，但这活动必须事先已有计划，如：
● The plane to Hawaii leaves at 10 tonight.
● The British Prime Minister arrives at 8 tomorrow morning.
这样的不寻常时态里的动词通常只限于来和往之类的活动，不是任何动词都适用。
⒉现在简单时态也可用来取代时间副词分句（adverb clauses of time）或条件副词分句（adverb clauses of condition）中的现在未来时态，如：
● Lets wait until all the guests come.
● If it rains tomorrow, we cant go fishing.
理论上可以说until all the guests will come和if it will rain tomorrow，但实际句子里，并不如此。
⒊现在简单时态有时可以用来代替现在过去时态，使所叙述的事物更现实、更灵活，如：
● Alexander Pope says, A little learning is a dangerous thing.
● The Chinese proverb has it, God helps those who help themselves.
只有在特殊情况下，才用这种时态；否则，过去的事， 只好用过去时态，比较妥当。
Ⅱ 现在进行时态
⒈现在进行时态可以用来表示未来的节目或已策划的活动，如：
● They are going downtown this afternoon.
● I am seeing an old friend tonight.
⒉现在进行时态，也和副词always, continually, constantly等连用以表示不断重复的举动，言下有不胜其烦之感，如：
● Janet is always complaining.
● Why are you continually finding fault with our new system?
● Strange! The weather here is constantly changing.
Ⅲ 过去简单时态
⒈过去简单时态可用来表示目前不易实现的假设或愿望，如：
● lf I were you, I would join that activity.
● I wish I had better luck next time.
⒉过去简单时态也可以用来代替现在简单时态，以表示礼貌，如：
● Could you tell me how to go to the library?
● I would appreciate it if you could help me.
● Would you mind lending me your pen for a while?
上述寻常时态的不寻常用法，如果用得恰当，肯定可以增添英语的灵活性。
