3. 在各类考试题中,测试者往往都要求应考者选
用最简单的动词形式,即不带to的动词不定式,或者动名词形式,尤其是不带to的动词不定式,而不是其他形式。但是,如果rather than 之前用的是被动语态(含被动不定式)、进行时、动名词、介词短语等,这时往往需要保持rather than前后结构形式的平衡。
(1) In 1903, the Wright brothers’invention was
ignored rather than recognized.
(2) He is to be pitied rather than (to be) disliked.
(3) This text is to be deleted rather than written.
4) They were screaming rather than singing.
(5) He was engaged in writing rather than reading the newspaper.
(6) He came all the way to China for promoting
friendship rather than for making money.
(7) Clinical experiments have shown that children generally relate to other children’s strengths and abilities, rather than to their weaknesses.
4. rather than可拆开用,这更强调动词形式一致。
(1) He is to be pitied rather than (to be) disliked. /
He is rather to be pitied than disliked
(2) This text is to be deleted rather than written. /
This text is rather to be deleted than written.
(3) The siren whispers rather than screams. / The siren
rather whispers than screams.
5. rather than提前时,常用不带to的动词不定式。
(1)Rather than cause trouble, he left.
(2)Rather than go there, I’d prefer to stay here on my won.
(3)Rather than ride on a crowded bus, he always prefers to ride a bicycle. 6. 在would rather … than …句型中,只用不带to的
动词不定式。
(1)He would rather beg in the streets than get money in such a dishonest way.
(2)He would rather pay the fine than appeal to a higher court.
(3)I would rather die than surrender.
(4)I’d rather take the slowest train than go there by air.
8.2.4 would (should) prefer之后的从句时态
would (偶见用should) prefer后接从句时,从
句的时态可用过去虚拟式也可以用现在虚拟式。
但是,用现在虚拟式更常见于考试题中。
A. 从句用过去虚拟式
(1)I would (should) prefer that you did not stay there
too long. = I would (should) prefer you not to stay
there too long.
(2) I’d prefer that the job were a little closer to my
home.
(3) Val would presumably prefer that you didn’t get
arrested.
(4) I would prefer that you didn’t mention my name.
B. 从句用现在虚拟式
(1) I’d prefer tha t she act the young lady.
(2) Would you prefer that I come on Monday instead
of on Tuesday?
(3) I’d prefer that he remain forgotten.
注1:一般来说,常见的形式是:prefer that …
2004年4月全国高等教育自学考试英语语法试题
