中文摘要:
语态是一个语法范畴.它是用来表示主语和谓语动词之间关系的一种形式.语态有主动和被动两种形式.如果主语是动作的执行者,谓语动词就要用主动形式.如果主语是动作的承受者,动词就要用被动形式.张克礼等一些语法律家认为被动语态可以分为三种:真被动,假被动和半被动.本文将简单论述法语语态. 关键词: 主动语态 被动语态 转换 限制 Abstract: Voice belongs to grammar category. It is a form of verbs which expresses the relation between the action and its subject in sentences. Indicating whether the action is performed by the subject or passes on to it. In English, there are two kinds of voice: the active voice and the passive voice. If the subject performs the action, then the verb form is in the active voice. If the subject receives the action, then the verb form is in the passive voice. Zhang Keli and some other grammarians divide the passive voice into three kinds: true-passive, pseudo-passive and quasi-passive. This paper will discuss on English voice. Key words: active voice, passive voice, transformation, constraints, form meaning ⅠIntroduction
English voice belongs to grammar category. It is a form of verbs between subject and verb. Traditionally, the voice of English grammar is divided into active voice and passive voice. When the subject is the executor of the behavior, the form of predicate is active voice. When the subject is the taker of the behavior, the form of predicate is passive. Many grammarians think that there are relations of transformation between active voice and passive voice. In practice, the transformation between the active form and the passive form is complicated. There are many differences between active voice and passive voice, so the transformation between the active voice and the passive voice is constrained by lexical, semantic and situation.
1.1. Usually, the active voice can be transformed into passive voice.
For examples:
A number of workers have challenged this view.
This view has been challenged by a number of workers.
A grenade killed his best friend.
His best friend was killed by a grenade.
1.2. Sometimes, the active voice can be transformed into passive voice.
For examples:
I have a house in the country.
A house is had by me in the country. (F)
She married a Frenchman.
A Frenchman was married by her. (F) Ⅱ Passive voice
We give a simple definition to the passive voice in form, namely, be/get/ -ed. Zhang Keli and some other grammarians divide the passive voice into three kinds. Those are true-passive, pseudo-passive and quasi-passive.
2.1. True-passive
2.1.1. A sentence with executor is called true-passive. The true-passive can be divided into ideality and non-ideality.
For examples:
The violin was made by my father.
Sentence (1) is an ideality passive voice. Because it has an executor and the executor is a person. It is corresponding to the active voice: “My father made the violin.”
Coal has been replaced by oil.
Sentence (2) is a non-ideality passive. Because it doesn’t directly correspond to an actor. It can be transformed into two actors: “Oil has replaced coal.” “People have replaced coal by oil.”
2.1.2.–ed in the true-passive is called verbal-participle(动词性分词). The executor of true-passive refers to the person. Sometime, the executor is unclear or doesn’t be demoted. The executor just can be led by “by” or omitted.
For examples:
His best friend was killed by a grenade.
This view has been challenged by a number of workers.
The news was confirmed by a telegram.
Three machines can be controlled by a single operator.
The light is refracted by the surface of the glass.
2.2. Pseudo-passive
Another passive form is “pseudo-passive”. It is considered as passive. Because the predicate of pseudo-passive is “be/-ed”. It is impossible that pseudo-passive can be transformed into active voice. “Be” in pseudo-passives can be replaced by “become, feel, remain and seem”. The past participles can be modified by “very, quite, more and rather.” The participles in pseudo-passive don’t have the characteristics of verbal-participle. It just becomes an adjective.
For examples:
My uncle was (got or seemed) (very) tired.
The car was old and ruined.
The agentless passive sometimes is regarded as “subject / copula / predicative”.
2.3. Quasi-passive
2.3.1. Quasi-passive also call semi-passive. It is between true-passive and pseudo-passive. The –ed participles in quasi-passives can express the characteristics of verbal-participle and adjectival-participle. This structure can be transformed into active form. It also can be modified by “very, quite more and rather”. “Be” in quasi-passive can be replaced by “feel, seem, become and remain”.
For examples:
I was alarmed by the news.
→ The news alarmed me.
→ I was alarmed by and angry at the news.
→ I was very alarmed by the news.
→ I felt alarmed by the news.
She was irritated by these two children.
→ These two children irritated her.
→ She was irritated by and fond of these two children.
→ She was more irritated by this child than by that.
→ She appeared irritated by these two children.
2.3.2. The quasi-agent in quasi-passive can be led by “about, at, over, to, in, with.”
For examples:
She was worried about her son.
→ Her son worried her.
Betty was surprised at the gifts.
→ The gifts surprised Betty.
He was overcome with horror.
→ Horror overcome him.
2.4. In English some transitive verbs are only used in passive voice, but aren’t used in active voice. Such as: dress, shave, located, situate, satisfy, determine, doom, etc.
For examples:
Our college is situated in the suburbs.
The house is located near the lake.
She was dressed in red.
He was freshly shaved. |
