生活英语对话 Episode 84: A visit from the police

本单元是关于来自警察局的询问的对话

Police 1: You see sir, we've received a complaint from a Mr Hall about a gentleman's watch that you sold to his wife just before Christmas. It would appear that the authenticity of the watch is in doubt.

Tim: Oh - Oh, I see...

Police 1: Would you mind answering a few questions for us?

Tim: Well, no, but I think you should be talking to my boss about this.

Police 2: We've already spoken to your boss sir, at some length as it happens. That's why we'd like to talk to you now. So, if you wouldn't mind answering a few questions...

Tim: What, here?

Police 2: We can always go down to the station if you think you'd be more comfortable there, sir...

Tim: No, no, that won't be necessary. Would you like to come through to the office?

Vocabulary 词汇

authenticity (n) 真实性

the quality or condition of being real, trustworthy, or genuine

in doubt 有疑问

under question, not fully believed

at some length 相当详尽地

thoroughly, completely or repeatedly; for a long time

as it happens 实际上

this is an informal expression which means 'actually'

本单元的语言点是动词后面加动词+ing 形式，在英语中有些动词后面跟不定式，有些要跟动词+ing 形式，请看下面的解释和例句。

Verb + verb-ing

Background 背景

When a verb is followed by another verb, the second verb must be either an infinitive with 'to' such as 'to do', 'to make', 'to go' etc. or an -ing form such as 'doing', 'making', 'going'. In this episode of The Flatmates, the police officer says 'Would you mind answering a few questions...?' The form of the second verb depends on the first verb, and/or the speaker's intended meaning.

Some of the rules about verb + verb-ing are given here.

Basic verbs 基本动词

Verb-ing is used after these verbs:

 

Examples:

The children admitted taking the sweets.

I considered becoming a singer when I left school.

Do you fancy going to see a movie tonight?

Would you mind opening the window? It's rather hot in here.

He suggested eating out, but I had already prepared dinner at home.

Phrasal verbs 短语动词

Verb-ing is used after these phrasal verbs:

 

Examples:

The children carried on playing even though it had started to rain.

I gave up smoking 3 years ago.

The teacher went on talking even though some of the students weren't listening.

Why do you keep on eating fatty food when you know it's bad for you?

Negatives 否定

To make the -ing verb negative, use not:

Would you mind not making so much noise?

I like not having to get up early at weekends

Somebody 某人

It is possible to use the structure verb + somebody + verb-ing:

I can't imagine you living in a foreign country.

I don't like you telling me what to do all the time.

In the passive form, use being and the past participle:

I don't like being told what to do all the time.