There are more than fifty proposals to be discussed at tomorrow’s conference.
to be discussed 在这里是不定式作定语吗?改为 will be discussed 是否句意不变?
不定式的被动语态和主动语态作定语的时候表将来的意味。如果把 to be discussed 改为 will be discussed,应该用定语从句表示。即:
There are more than fifty proposals to be discussed at tomorrow’s conference. = There are more than fifty proposals which (或that) will be discussed at tomorrow’s conference.
【说明】to be discussed at tomorrow’s conference 是动词不定式短语作 proposals 的后置定语; which (或 that) will be discussed at tomorrow’s conference 是定语从句,proposals 是定语从句修饰的先行词。
▲to be discussed 在这里是不定式作定语吗?
答:你说得对,句中的 to be discussed 在这里是不定式作定语。
▲句中的to be discussed 改为 will be discussed 是否句意不变?
答:句中的to be discussed 不可以改为 will be discussed。但可以改为含有 will be discussed 的定语从句。即:
There are more than fifty proposals to be discussed at tomorrow’s conference.
=There are more than fifty proposals which will be discussed at tomorrow’s conference.
▲更多类似例句:
1. The carpets to be cleaned are in the garage. 要清洗的地毯在车库里。
= The carpets which will be cleaned are in the garage. 要清洗的地毯在车库里。
2. She made a list of the people to be invited. 她开了一个应邀请人的名单。
=She made a list of the people who will be invited. 她开了一个应邀请人的名单。
▲知识拓展:
上面说的是一般情况,根据具体的语境不同,有时不定式作定语并不一定表示将来。比如:
1. He is the second man to be killed in this way. 他是第二个这样死于非命的人。
=He is the second man who has been killed in this way. 他是第二个这样死于非命的人。
2. The unknown is always something to be feared. 未知的东西总是一种令人害怕的东西。
=The unknown is always something that is feared. 未知的东西总是一种令人害怕的东西。