英语口语,自己学:英语口语常用短语和表达方式
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前言

通过对本套书的第二分册“英语口语高频动词”的学习,读者一定已经学会和掌握了这些在英语口语中出现频率最高的动词。在不同的场合使用不同的动词,能使我们的英语口语表达更为准确得当和流畅。那么,如何能使我们的英语口语更为地道呢?我们先要了解英语口头语言和书面语言的区别;还要深入学习英语口语中常用的短语和表达方式,这正是本书的核心内容。

英语口头语言和书面语言的区别

英语口头语言要求简洁明了,以达到人际交流的目的,所以语法结构比较简单;而英语书面语言讲究修辞,表达准确,因而语法结构也较为复杂。特别是一些政论文和法律文件,常常让人看得云里雾里,如:

The label,Made in China,is one that is becoming increasing common in shopping centers all over the world.In the United States,shoppers at Wal-Mart,the nation's largest retailer have a wide selection of products mostly produced in China.The large amount of Chinese imports have created a large selection of goods in other countries as people begin to buy more and more products made in China.These goods are even readily available in other Asian nations,where Chinese-made goods are quite popular.Chinese brand names are also becoming more well-known outside of China.The development of China has amazed the world with its growth.And also,as China is a developing economy with large amount of labor,industries are beginning to relocate in an effort to minimize costs and increase profits.The results of these re-locations are that nations are beginning to try to limit the flow of Chinese goods with the use of taxes and import restrictions.Despite this tension,the effort of development on the Chinese economy has been massive.The rise of the Chinese domestic industry and the large amounts of trade with the international community have given the Chinese economy a large amount of influence.This influence will no doubt lead to even more development as China continues to expand its role in the international community.

在世界各地的购物中心,中国制造的产品越来越普遍。在美国,最大的零售商沃尔玛的顾客拥有广泛的商品选择权,其中大部分的商品产自中国。进口大量的中国产品为其他国家创造了大量的商品选择机会,人们也开始越来越多地购买中国制造的产品。在其他亚洲国家里,也随处可见这些产品,在这里中国制造的产品很受欢迎。越来越多的中国品牌闻名国外。中国的发展速度让全世界为之震惊。作为发展中经济大国的中国拥有大量的劳动力,其产业开始重置,力争缩减成本,增加利润。产业重置的结果是,各个国家开始试图利用征税和进口限制来制约中国商品的流入。尽管存在这种紧张关系,中国经济发展的影响依然巨大。中国民族产业的崛起及其与国际社会的庞大贸易往来都给中国经济带来巨大影响。随着中国在国际社会中角色的不断提升,这种影响无疑会给中国带来更好的发展。(选自“社会热点英语话题一席谈”)

这段短文叙述了有关“中国制造”的商品。文字中有that引起的定语从句修饰one;有一句where引起的定语从句修饰Asian nations。还有一个表语从句that nations are beginning...。本文中还有三个由“as”引起的状语从句,此外还有几个分词短语用作定语。不过,无论英语的书面文字有多么复杂,其句子结构仍然逃不开英语的三个基本句型。只是加了许多从句、短语等等,让句子看上去要复杂一些罢了。即便在时下流行的“博客”文字中,同样存在这种书面语言修饰上的复杂现象,如:

The government banned the use of polythene bags years ago,but the ban never really materialized.Why?Because we are essentially lazy people who want them every time we go out and buy something from the grocer,or go to a convenient store.It doesn't require much effort to keep a few reusable bags in your car for the grocery store and other shops,you would make a huge difference in the number of plastic bags that end up in garbage dumps,all of which will still be around when your great-grandchildren are alive.

政府在几年前禁止使用聚乙烯购物袋,但是这条禁令从未真正落实过。为什么呢?因为我们本质上就是懒人,每次外出到杂货店或去便利店购物时都想要用这些袋子。你去杂货店或其他商店购物时,可以在你的车里放些可重复使用的袋子。这并不需要花多大力气。这样,你将可以使最终被丢进垃圾堆的塑料袋大大减少。所有这些塑料袋到你的曾孙辈也不会分解。(选自“英语微博”)

这段“博客”文字,写的是“聚乙烯购物袋”。文字中有三个定语从句,分别是由who引起的修饰lazy people的定语从句;由that修饰plastic bags的定语从句和all of which修饰plastic bags的定语从句。此外,本文中还有but,every time和when引起的三个状语从句。

书面文字的复杂性在于采用了大量的不定式短语、分词短语作定语和状语;又用大量的句子来作定语(定语从句)、主语(主语从句)、表语(表语从句);也用许多句子来作状语(状语从句),从而使整个文字显得复杂化。口头文字是用于日常生活中的语言交流,因此要求简洁明了,一听就懂。因此,我们的日常对话除了使用一些简单句外,也会使用一些宾语从句和状语从句,但是不会复杂。

需要特别注意的是:所有的从句,包括主语从句、表语从句、宾语从句、定语从句和状语从句等,它们的句子结构也都是出自于英语的三个基本句型。

英语口语常使用宾语从句

一个句子用来作动词谓语的宾语,就叫做宾语从句。英语口语中使用的宾语从句常有以下几种。

1.that宾语从句(直接或间接宾语)

that是从属连词,本身无含意,口语中常常会省略,如:

I heard that our school would arrange a lot of recreational activities during the long holiday of the National Day.

我听说国庆长假期间,学校会安排许多文娱活动。

Yeah,the dentist said brushing your teeth in the morning and at night would help prevent tooth decay.

是啊,牙医说,早晚刷牙有助于防止蛀牙。

I suppose your survey has the advantage of more detailed information.

我认为你调研的优点是信息更详细。

2.whether或if引起的宾语从句

带有“是否,有否,对否,能否”等疑问含意的宾语从句,由从属连词whether或if引导,如:

Could you tell me whether(if)I can take this bag on as hand luggage?

请你告诉我,我这个包能不能当作手提行李呀?

Lecturers can get a free copy and decide whether(if)it's going to be suitable for their course.

讲师们可以免费拿到一本,他们可以决定这本书是否适合他们的课程。

3.特殊疑问词引起的宾语从句

带有“谁,什么,哪个,什么时候,什么地方,怎样,为什么”等特殊疑问词的宾语从句可由连接代词who(whose),what,which和连接副词when,where,how,why引起,如:

I wonder why so many modern buildings were destroyed by the earthquake.我感到疑惑的是,为什么那多现代建筑都会在地震中被毁。

Buying a house is quite hard,but first you need to decide where you want to buy property.买房非常难,首先你要确定你要在哪里置业。

I don't know when we will have the meeting.我不知道什么时候开会。

此外,还要注意下面几种情况:

1.“介词+宾语从句”和“动词+介词+宾语从句”

Bankers never really consider about how much the clients will lose but how much they will earn.

银行从来不会考虑客户损失多少,而只会考虑他们能挣多少。

I have noticed those things,but I never thought about why it happens.

我已经注意到这类事件,但是我从未想过事情为什么会发生。

2.某些形容词后面跟的宾语从句(有些语法学家认为是状语从句)

有些形容词,如afraid,anxious,aware,certain,confident,glad,sure,sorry,surprised,worried等,后面可跟宾语从句,如:

I have a computer at home,but I'm afraid that it may be infected by viruses.我家里有台电脑,恐怕会感染病毒了。

We have just exchanged our pictures on net,but I'm not sure if it is real love.我们刚刚在网上交换了照片,我不知道这是不是真爱。

3.产生否定转移的宾语从句

由assume,believe,expect,feel,guess,suppose,think等动词引起的宾语从句,否定词not(hardly)形式上是否定主句的谓语,实际上是否定后面的宾语从句。比如我们说:“我想她今天不会来上课”,英文要说:“I don't think she will attend the class today.”,再如:

Hot pants are beautiful and sexy.But I don't think my legs are as beautiful as yours.

热裤又性感又漂亮。但是我认为我的腿没你的漂亮。

The exam is so sudden.I don't believe we will have enough time to prepare.

考试来得那么突然。我相信我们都没足够的时间准备。

I don't suppose that she will agree to our plan.

我料想她不会同意我们的计划。

4.当主句是疑问句时,宾语从句仍然要使用陈述句,如:

Do you think John will come to office today?

你认为约翰今天会来办公室吗?

Can you remember how much money we spent last month?

你还能回忆起我们上个月花了多少钱了吗?

Did you notice how she kept looking her watch?

你有没有注意到她不停地在看她的手表吗?

5.注意宾语从句的时态变化

如果主语谓语是现在时(包括将来时,现在完成时),宾语从句的谓语可用任何时态;如果主语谓语是过去时,宾语从句的谓语也用过去范畴的时态(包括过去将来时,过去完成时),如:

I hear what you're saying,but you are really wrong.

我已听到你的意见,但你确实错了。

Mr Green said that he would remember the trip to the Great Wall forever.

格林先生说,他会永远记得这次长城之旅。

David told me he had worked at that website for 5 years.

大伟告诉我,他已经在那家网站工作了五年。

英语口语常使用状语从句

一个句子用作副词,用来表示时间、条件、原因、目的、地点、结果、让步、比较等概念,就叫做状语从句。状语从句通常放在主句的前后。状语从句通常前面有一个连接词。

1.时间状语从句由when,while,before,after,since,as soon as,as,till(until)等连接,如:

When stocks fall suddenly,many shareholders would sell their shares as quickly as possible.

股票突然下跌时,许多股东就会尽快抛出股票。

Could you do me a favor and proofread my resume before I send it out to the human resources department?

你能否在我把简历寄给人事部门前,帮我校对一遍?

I will not settle down permanently in the United States.I will come back as soon as I get my doctor's degree.

我不会在美国定居。我一取得博士学位就会回来。

2.条件状语从句由if,unless(除非),so long as(只要)连接,如:

Does coffee affect your sleep,if you take a cup of strong coffee before going to bed?

你睡前喝一杯浓咖啡会影响你的睡眠吗?

That's why it is essential that you never open an email attachment unless you know who it is from.

这就是为什么别随便打开邮件附件的重要性,除非你知道这份邮件是谁发的。

3.让步状语从句由although,though(后面不能再用but),no matter how(what),even though(虽然,尽管)引起,如:

Although you aren't raising a baby,you feed a dog.You have to devote a lot to it as well.

虽然你不想生小孩,你养了一条狗,但是你也一样要为它付出很多。

Even though this part of the project was due a week ago,we can still complete the whole program on time.

尽管这部分的项目已在上周到期,不过我们依然可以按时完成整个计划。

4.原因状语从句由as,because,since(都表示“由于”“因为”)引起,如:

Since we work together in teams,we have to get along with each other.

由于我们都以团队方式一起工作,我们互相就应和睦相处。

When shopping,I tried on many clothes and shoes and it made me mad,because I had to take off my clothes,put on new ones,and change and change until I found out the fittest one.

逛街的时候,我要试穿衣服和鞋子。这真让人发狂,因为你要不断地脱衣穿衣,直到找到最合适的那件。

5.结果状语从句由so(such)...that(如此……以至于),so(因此,句子前要用逗号),如:

It is such a hot day that I'd like to go to beach for swimming.

天气那么热,我想去海边游泳。

The prices of houses are so high that most people cannot afford to buy them.

房价那么高,大多数人都买不起。

The swimming instructor was hired specially for the new pool,so we need to charge for lessons to pay the salary.

游泳教练是专门为新泳池请的,所以上课要付费,用来支付教练的工资。

6.目的状语从句由in order that(为了),so that(以便)引起,如:

My uncle is so deaf now.I have to speak loudly so that he can hear me clearly.

我的舅舅现在耳朵很聋。我要大声说,他才能听清楚。

John left early in the morning in order that he might reach the railway station in time.

约翰一早就出发,为了能及时赶到火车站。

7.比较状语从句由than(比……),as...as(像一样),not as(so)...as(不一样)引起,如:

For health's sake,breakfast and lunch are much more important than supper.

从健康的角度看,早中餐要比晚餐重要得多。

Marry can now run as fast as her classmates.

玛丽现在可以跑得像她的同学一样快。

英语口语常使用一些定语从句

一个句子用作形容词来修饰一个名词,语法上就叫做定语从句。英语口语中常用的定语从句有两种:一种由that引起(that常可省掉);另一种是由which(指物或事),who(指人),where(指地点)引起。

1.that引起的定语从句

Well,in today's tutorial we're going to discuss the essays that you have to submit by the end of next week.

今天的辅导课,我们要讨论一下你们下周末要交上来的文章。

We're quite concerned about the problems we're facing here now.

我们很关心我们现在在这里所面临的问题。

2.Which,who,where引起的定语从句

In order to prevent influenza,I take yearly flu shot,which is helpful to children and the elderly.

为了防止流感,我每年都注射流感疫苗,这对儿童和老年人很有帮助。

For many young people in the countryside,who can not study on a fixed schedule,online education suits them best.

对那些生活在农村,无法接受正规学业的年轻人,网上教育特别适合他们。

A Closed Reserve is a part of the library where you can go to read,but you can't take them out of the building.

闭架书也是图书馆的一部分,你可以进去阅览,但不能把书带出室外。

英语口语中偶尔使用的主语从句和表语从句

一个句子用作名词,用来作主语或表语,语法上就叫做主语从句或表语从句。英语口语中也偶尔使用主语从句和表语从句,如:

What you need to do before you try to write the paper is to make an outline.(这里是what引起一个主语从句)

你在写论文前需要做的事情,就是先拟一个提纲。

But what bothers me more is that these action films are too violent.

(这句由what引起主语从句,由that引起表语从句)

让我更揪心的是,这些动作片太渲染暴力。

地道的英语口语常使用许多短语和表达方式

在汉语口语中,我们常常会使用一些成语,甚至会引经据典,这是我们的说话习惯。但是,英语口语中使用成语不多,但却大量使用短语(包括动词、形容词、介词短语)和常用表达方式(相当于习惯用语),如:

I arrived here the day before yesterday,so I'm not familiar with the city.

我前天才到,对这个城市还不熟悉。

Could you do me a favor and buy something in the duty-free shop when you transfer at the Singapore Airport?

你能否在新加坡机场转机时,帮我在免税店买点东西?

Frankly speaking,our marriage goes wrong from the start.We got married on impulse before we got to know each other.

老实说,我们的婚姻一开始就是错。我们互相之间还没足够了解就闪婚了。

Lily's sweet tooth is unbelievable.She can eat five doughnuts in half an hour.

莉丽爱吃甜食程度真是令人难以置信,她竟可以在半小时内吃掉五个炸面圈。

I've been feeling under weather,I felt tired all morning and by afternoon I was as sick as a dog.

我一直感到身体不舒服。整个早上都感到很累,到了下午就病得不行。

从上面的例句可以看到,如果要使自己说的英语更地道,就要学会使用英语常用短语和表达方式。本书通过对国内外近百种英语口语书和托福口语试题的分析和总结,精选出275个在英语口语中常用的短语和表达方式。读者只要通过本书的引导,掌握和运用这些短语和表达方式,就能使自己说出的英语口语更流利、更地道。