上回提及英國廣播公司(BBC)的節目,名為「Our Kids Tough Enough? Chinese School」(我們的孩子足夠堅強嗎?中式學校)。節目的第二集有兩位初中女生討論華籍英文老師談及的不規則動詞(irregular verbs),不相信英文竟有「swum」(游泳的過去分詞)一字。讀者又可有信心準確說出以下原形動詞的過去式和過去分詞嗎?
1. Arise(出現)
2. Bear(接受;承擔;攜帶)
3. Bite(咬;叮;螫)
4. Creep (潛行;緩慢移動)
5. Forbid(禁止;妨礙)
6. Hide(躲藏;遮蓋)
7. Lie(平躺)
8. Swear (發誓;咒罵)
答案如下,a為過去式的例句,而b為過去分詞的例句。篇幅有限,只提供部分較艱深字詞或字句的中譯:
1a. The dilemma(困境) arose because the doctor coming from outside the area could not get there until 6:30.
1b. A matter has arisen requiring my personal attention.
2a. Her cheek bore a faint blush.(她面頰微紅。)
2b. It should also be borne in mind that ancient marble statues (古老的大理石像)were painted.(留意美式英語的過去分詞可以是「born」。)
3a. He bit into the orange.
3b. I hope you haven't bitten off more than you can chew.(直譯:希望你沒有貪多嚼不爛;希望你量力而為。)
4a. He crept downstairs, hardly making any noise.
4b. Age and this way of life seemed to have crept upon her unawares.(留意「creep」的過去式和過去分詞一樣;另外「unawares」是副詞(adverb),解作猝不及防。)
5a. The better part forbade me.
5b. They were forbidden to preach(佈道) or even to meet together for prayer.
6a. We hid but it made no difference.(於事無補)
6b. The hidden speech was coming, I could tell.
7a. Soon, empty shells lay everywhere.
7b. As a girl she had lain always on her back, proud, determined.
8a. She and I swore undying love.
8b. I could have sworn it was you.
不知道大家的成績如何?不妨拿這個測驗跟以英語為母語的朋友開玩笑,看看誰勝誰負?動詞不規則,才令英文增添變化,學習時更有趣味。■恒生管理學院英文學系講師李樂軒女士
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