动词的现在分词形式在语句中一般或表主动,或表进行,或二者兼而有之。being asked为现在分词的被动式,其内涵可拆成前后两个部分来分析,后面asked已经表示被动,所以前面的being只能理解为表进行。而原句并无突出非谓语动作与谓语动作同时进行之意,所以此时的being便显累赘。
其实JESSE也可以有另外一个问题就是:
When he was asked where he was born, John said he was a New Yorker.
这个限定分句能不能改成When being asked where he was born.....的问题。
常规来说我们都是用When asked where he was born....这个主要问题在于过去分词几乎和谓语动词没有多少关联,只要不用表示进行体和强烈先后顺序就可以采用过去分词;至于能否使用BEING ASKED,我觉得可以借鉴动态动词表达事件意义且用于被动语态的时候,在原因状语之外的,表达的多数还是一种相当于限定分句进行体的意思.也就是说,When he was asked where he was born应该无法缩略为: when being asked where he was born这种缩略状语结构;或者现代语法叫做从属连词引导的非限定分句. 在非被动语态,这种是有可能的.如夸克给出一个例子: When returning merchandise(=When you return),be sure to bring your receipt. (When) hearing the new, they all jumped with joy=When they heard the news, they all jumped with joy.