请教专家:
I was being tested for a driving licence for the third time. I had been asked to drive in heavy traffic and had done so successfully. After having been instructed to drive out of town, I began to acquire confidence. Sure that I had passed, I was almost beginning to enjoy my test. The examiner must have been pleased with my performance, for he smiled and said. 'Just one more thing, Mr.Eames. Let us suppose that a child suddenly crosses the road in front of you. As soon as I tap on the window, you must stop within five feet.' I continued driving and after some time, the examiner tapped loudly, Though the sound could be heard clearly, it took me a long time to react. I suddenly pressed the brake pedal and we were both thrown forward. The examiner looked at me sadly. 'Mr.Eames,' he said, in a mournful voice, 'you have just killed that child!'
1)
I had been asked to drive in heavy traffic and had done so successfully. 这里一上来就使用过去完成时,是因为参照后面一句的过去时间 I began
to...对吗?
2) The examiner must have been pleased with my performance - 这里既能理解成作者在当时(在过去)对更早的过去的推测,也能理解成作者在写这篇文章的时候,对过去(当时)的推测。对吗?
3) Though the sound could be heard clearly,既然当时能清楚听见,为什么不是was able to 呢?
1 过去完成时的使用是根据第一句的过去进行时。第一句交代故事的背景,即作者当时正在考驾照的路考过程中。第二句的过去完成时表示故事发生的时候在市区人多的地方的路考以及结束了。
2 must have been pleased 是作者现在的推测,be pleased with为系表结构表示状态。现在对过去情况的推测must后后接不定式完成体。如果是作者当时推测当时的状态,情态动词后的不定式应该用一般体而不是完成体。另外,站在过去立场进行推测,情态动词应该用过去形式,而must没有过去形式。所以通常要理解这是站在现在的立场进行推测。
3 could在此表示考官敲车窗的声音足够清楚,能让他听到。并不是表示能力。could使用完全正确,为什么一定要用was able to do呢?was able to do 表示一个人得以做成某事、设法做成了某事,通常这种事情都涉及主语的能力,需要克服一定的困难和障碍。所以英英释义为managed to do something, succeeded in doing something. 哪种信手拈来、轻而易举就能做的事是不会用was able to这把牛刀去杀鸡的,打蚊子不用高射炮的。所以要正确理解could表示可能性的用法,不要滥用was able to do。
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