第8章　时　态 8.8　时态的呼应

8.8　时态的呼应

8.8.1　时态的呼应

某些从句（特别是宾语从句）中的动词时态，常受主句谓语时态的制约，如在I thought you were free.这句话中，因受thought的影响，从句中的谓语只能用were free这个形式。这就称为时态的呼应（The Sequence of Tenses）。如果主句谓语为现在时或将来时，从句中的谓语可以不受影响：

It's reported that they are building a new railway. 据报导他们正在修建一条新铁路。

Has he told you when he is leaving for Kunming? 他告没告诉你他什么时候去昆明？

We are trying to find out who is to take over the job. 我们正设法打听谁将接替这工作。

Will you tell me how you two are getting along? 你可否告诉我你俩相处得怎样？

如果主句谓语为过去时，从句谓语一般要跟着改为相关的过去时。改变的方式如下：

1) 一般现在时改为一般过去时：

I was sure he was in bed. (比较：I'm sure he's in bed.)

I didn't know where they lived. (比较：I don't know where they live.)

2) 现在进行时改为过去进行时：

He thought he was working for the people. (比较：He thinks he's working for the people.)

I was glad you were doing well. (比较：I'm glad you're doing well.)

3) 现在完成时改为过去完成时：

I heard she had won a scholarship. (比较：I hear she has won a scholarship.)

I wondered if she had got well. (比较：I wonder if she has got well.)

4) 现在完成进行时改为过去完成进行时：

He wanted to know what she had been doing. (比较：He wants to know what she has been doing.)

I asked him how long he had been waiting. (比较：Ask him how long he's been waiting.)

5) 一般将来时改为一般过去将来时：

I hoped I'd find a job soon. (比较：I hope I'll find a job soon.)

He wasn't sure if she'd accept the offer. (比较：He isn't sure if she'll accept the offer.)

6) 将来进行时改为过去将来进行时：

I thought she'd be going by bus. (比较：I think she'll be going by bus.)

She said she'd be expecting us. (比较：She says she'll be expecting us.)

7) 将来完成（进行）时改为过去将来完成（进行）时：

I thought he'd have gone to bed now. (比较：I think he'll have gone to bed now.)

I knew she'd have been teaching here for 20 years by this summer.

(比较：I know she'll have been teaching for 20 years by this summer.)

8) 一般过去时有时可改为过去完成时：

He said he had seen Bob that morning. (比较：I saw Bob this morning.)

如有明确的时间状语，可以保持原来时态：

I knew he was born in 1970. (比较：I know he was born in 1970.)

8.8.2 一些特殊情况

1) 在某些情况下，从句谓语不随主句谓语变化，例如：

a. 表示永恒真理时谓语可以不变：

This proved that the earth is round. 这证明地球是圆的。

The teacher told us that the Yangtze originates in Qinghai. 老师告诉我们说长江发源于青海。

b. 在口语中为了避免误会也可以不变：

She said she's leaving tonight. 她说她今晚走。

Tom said he'll do it. 汤姆说这事他来做。

He told me he works in the editorial office. 他告诉我他在编辑部工作。

He told me just now that his wife is ill. 他刚才告诉我他妻子病了。

2) 有时可变可不变：

如强调现在的情况可以用现在时态：

3) can， may， will， shall可改为could， might， would， should：

She can swim like a fish. →She said that she could swim like a fish.

You may take it home. →She said I might take it home.

We'll support you. →They assured us that they would support us.

Shall I go with you? →He asked if he should go with us.

4) could， might， should， ought， must都可以不变：

Could I take this seat? →I asked if I could take that seat.

You might leave now. →She said I might leave now.

Should I shut the door? →I wondered whether I should shut the door.

I oughtn't to do it. →He said that I oughtn't to do it.

I must leave right away. →I said I must leave right away.