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第二十七章 There be 句型

本章目标

There be 是英文中非常常用的结构。它表示“某处、某时或某种情况中有某人或某物”。

中文母语学习者容易把 there 误解成“那里”,也容易把所有中文的“有”都翻译成 There be。这一章会一步一步解决这些问题。

前面几章暂时跳过了一些存在句。现在统一补回。

你会学到:

  • 怎样识别 There be
  • 为什么真正主语在 be 后面;
  • There be 怎样变化时态、构成否定句和问句;
  • 怎样区分 There be、普通 be 句、haveit is
  • 怎样理解 there beingthere to be
  • 怎样在写作中自然使用存在句。

本章还会补充几个日常用法:some / any、口语缩写 there's、多个并列主语时的实用写法,以及 There is ... doing ...

句型标记系统

符号含义说明
1主语 Subject句子的主角,回答“谁 / 什么”
2动词 Verb表示动作或状态
be系动词 / 广义 be 标记is / am / are / was / were 是 be 动词;has been / have been / had been / will have been / would have been 是 be 动词的完成形式;look / feel / seem / become / get 等系动词也按 be 标注
3O宾语 Object动作的接受者,回答“谁 / 什么”
3C补语 Complement说明主语或宾语“是什么 / 怎么样 / 在哪里”
(4)状语 Adverbial可以删除的时间、地点、方式等修饰成分
(be)隐藏的 be宾语和宾语补足语之间可以插入 be,用来检验说明关系

五种基本句型写成:

  1. 1 + 2
  2. 1 + 2 + 3O
  3. 1 + 2 + 3O + 3O
  4. 1 + be + 3C
  5. 1 + 2 + 3O + (be) + 3C

注意:状语 (4) 可以出现在五种句型中,但它不是句型骨架的一部分。


There be 是特殊存在句。为了清楚地分析它,本章增加一种写法:

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

部分作用
There存在句的结构引导词,不是真正主语
bebe 动词
1be 后面的真正主语
(4)常见的地点、时间或范围状语

例如:

There is a book on the table.
桌上有一本书。

Thereisa bookon the table
结构引导词be1(4)

真正要引出的事物是 a book。地点是 on the table


一、There be 的基本意义

There be 的核心作用是:把一个新出现的人或事物引入句子。

There is a problem with my computer.
我的电脑有一个问题。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

分析:

  • There 不是“那里”,只是存在句的结构信号;
  • is 是 be 动词;
  • a problem 是真正主语;
  • with my computer 说明问题出现在哪个范围内。

再看地点状语:

There are many books in the library.
图书馆里有很多书。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

many books 是真正主语。in the library 是地点状语。

地点状语不是每次都要出现:

There is a problem.
有一个问题。

句型:There + be + 1

这句话仍然完整。说话人只是想先引出“有一个问题”。


二、There be 与普通 be 句的区别

普通 be 句和存在句都使用 be 动词,但是表达重点不同。

普通 be 句:

The problem is serious.
这个问题很严重。

句型:1 + be + 3C

The problem 已经是谈话中的主角。后面的 serious 说明它怎么样。

存在句:

There is a serious problem.
有一个严重的问题。

句型:There + be + 1

这里先引出一个新信息:有一个问题。

句子重点
The problem is serious.已经知道有这个问题,现在说明它很严重
There is a serious problem.先告诉别人:有一个严重的问题

再比较:

The book is on the table.
那本书在桌上。

句型:1 + be + 3C

There is a book on the table.
桌上有一本书。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

第一句谈论的是已经明确的 The book。第二句把 a book 当作新信息引出来。


三、There be 与地点副词 there 的区别

there 有两种完全不同的用法。

3-A 地点副词 there

The book is there.
那本书在那里。

句型:1 + be + 3C

这里的 there 有实际意思,表示“在那里”。它是地点补语。

3-B 存在句引导词 there

There is a book on the table.
书桌上有一本书。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

这里的 There 不表示地点。真正的地点是 on the table

可以用两个问题帮助判断:

  1. there 是否真的表示“在那里”?
  2. 句子是否在引出“有某人或某物”?

如果句子是在表达“有……”,就按存在句分析。


四、主语动词一致

存在句中的 there 不是真正主语。be 动词要和后面的真正主语保持一致。

There is one apple on the table.
桌上有一个苹果。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

one apple 是单数,所以使用 is

There are two apples on the table.
桌上有两个苹果。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

two apples 是复数,所以使用 are

完成形式也一样:

There has been a change in the plan.
计划已经有了一处变化。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

There have been two changes in the plan.
计划已经有了两处变化。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

has been / have been 是 be 动词的现在完成形式,整体标为 be

4-A 补充:多个并列主语

有时,be 后面会出现两个或更多并列名词。

There is a book and two pens on the table.
书桌上有一本书和两支笔。

There are two pens and a book on the table.
书桌上有两支笔和一本书。

在日常表达中,be 常常跟靠近它的第一个名词一致。这叫就近一致。

正式写作中,如果觉得句子不够稳妥,可以把复数名词放在前面:

There are two pens and a book on the table.

也可以拆成两个句子:

There is a book on the table. There are also two pens.
书桌上有一本书。还有两支笔。

这样最清楚。


五、时态和语气

There be 可以使用不同的时态,也可以和情态助动词连用。

5-A 现在

There is a meeting today.
今天有一个会议。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

is 体现一般现在时。

5-B 过去

There was a mistake in my homework.
我的作业里有一个错误。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

was 体现一般过去时。

5-C 将来

There will be a test tomorrow.
明天会有一次考试。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

will 表达对未来的判断。后面保留 be 动词原形。

5-D 完成形式

There has been a change in the plan.
计划已经有了变化。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

has been 是 be 动词的现在完成形式。

There had been a problem before Tim opened the app.
蒂姆打开应用程序之前,已经有一个问题。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

had been 是 be 动词的过去完成形式。

5-E 情态助动词

There may be a problem.
可能有一个问题。

句型:There + be + 1

There should be enough food for all of us.
应该有足够的食物给大家吃。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

may / should 表达不同语气。后面的 be 使用原形。


六、否定句

存在句变成否定句时,通常把否定词放在 be 后面。

There is no milk in the bottle.
瓶子里没有牛奶。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

There are not enough seats in the room.
房间里的椅子不够。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

口语中常使用缩写:

There aren't enough seats in the room.
房间里的椅子不够。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

no + 名词not any + 名词 常常可以表达接近的意思:

There are no apples in the bag.
袋子里没有苹果。

There aren't any apples in the bag.
袋子里没有苹果。

两句都自然。第一句更简洁。

6-A 补充:some 和 any

肯定句中常用 some

There are some books on the table.
书桌上有一些书。

否定句和普通问句中常用 any

There aren't any books on the table.
书桌上没有书。

Are there any books on the table?
书桌上有书吗?

这不是绝对规则。例如,问话人期待对方回答“有”,或者正在提出请求时,也可以使用 some

Is there some milk in the bottle?
瓶子里是不是还有一些牛奶?

初学阶段先掌握常用情况:肯定句常用 some,否定句和普通问句常用 any

6-B 补充:口语中的 there's

there is 在口语中常缩写为 there's

There's a book on the table.
书桌上有一本书。

标准书面语中,复数主语仍然使用 there are

There are two books on the table.
书桌上有两本书。

日常口语中有时会听到 There's two books ...。初学者先不要模仿。写作时使用 There are two books ...


七、问句

存在句变成问句时,把 be 移到 there 前面。

7-A Yes / No 问句

陈述句:

There is a problem with the computer.
电脑有一个问题。

问句:

Is there a problem with the computer?
电脑有问题吗?

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

再看复数:

Are there enough books for the students?
给学生们的书够吗?

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

简短回答也保留 there

Is there a problem?
有问题吗?

Yes, there is. / No, there isn't.
是的,有。/ 不,没有。

7-B Wh- 问句

先看数量:

There are ten books on the table.
书桌上有十本书。

How many books are there on the table?
书桌上有多少本书?

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

再看内容:

There is something in the box.
盒子里有东西。

What is there in the box?
盒子里有什么?

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

7-C 否定问句

Isn't there a better way?
难道没有更好的办法吗?

句型:There + be + 1

Aren't there enough seats in the room?
房间里的椅子还不够吗?

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)


八、附加问句

存在句的附加问句也保留 there

There is a problem, isn't there?
有一个问题,对吧?

句型:There + be + 1

There are enough seats, aren't there?
椅子够了,对吧?

句型:There + be + 1

There wasn't any milk, was there?
没有牛奶,对吧?

句型:There + be + 1

不要把 there 换成 itthey。这里仍然是存在句。


九、间接问句

存在句进入间接问句后,也要恢复正常语序。

直接问句:

Is there a problem with the computer?
电脑有问题吗?

间接问句:

I don't know whether there is a problem with the computer.
我不知道电脑是否有问题。

整个句子的句型:1 + 2 + 3O

whether there is a problem with the computerknow 的宾语。它是名词从句。

再看数量问句:

直接问句:

How many books are there on the table?
书桌上有多少本书?

间接问句:

Tell me how many books there are on the table.
告诉我书桌上有多少本书。

整个句子的句型:1 + 2 + 3O + 3O

me 表示“告诉谁”。how many books there are on the table 表示“告诉什么”。

错误:

*Tell me how many books are there on the table.

正确:

Tell me how many books there are on the table.

进入名词从句以后,不再使用直接问句的倒装语序。


十、There be 与 have

中文的“有”有不同意思。英文有时使用 have,有时使用 There be

10-A have 表示拥有或具备

Amy has a new computer.
艾米有一台新电脑。

句型:1 + 2 + 3O

这里的重点是:艾米拥有一台电脑。

The room has two windows.
这个房间有两扇窗户。

句型:1 + 2 + 3O

这里的重点是:窗户是房间的一部分。

10-B There be 表示存在

There is a computer in the classroom.
教室里有一台电脑。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

重点是:教室里存在一台电脑。

比较:

中文英文重点
艾米有一个问题。Amy has a problem.艾米遇到了问题
计划里有一个问题。There is a problem with the plan.计划中存在一个问题

不要把所有中文的“有”都机械地翻译成 there is / there are


十一、There be 与 it is

It isThere be 也容易混淆。

11-A It is 说明时间、天气、距离或评价

It is late.
时间晚了。

句型:1 + be + 3C

It is cold today.
今天很冷。

句型:1 + be + 3C + (4)

It is important to check your homework.
检查作业很重要。

句型:1 + be + 3C

11-B There be 表示存在

There is still time to check your homework.
还有时间检查作业。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

There is a reason for the change.
这个变化是有原因的。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

比较:

句子意思
It is a problem.这是一个问题。
There is a problem.有一个问题。

十二、There seems / appears / happens to be

存在句可以和一些结构结合,例如 seem to beappear to behappen to beused to be

There seems to be a problem with the app.
这个应用程序似乎有一个问题。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

There appears to be a mistake in the answer.
答案里似乎有一个错误。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

There happened to be an empty classroom.
碰巧有一间空教室。

句型:There + be + 1

There used to be a small store near the school.
学校附近以前有一家小商店。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

这些句子变长了,但是 there 仍然只是结构引导词。真正主语仍然在后面。


十三、There be + 分词 / 形容词 / 介词短语

be 后面的真正主语还可以带修饰语。

13-A 现在分词短语

There is a student waiting outside.
外面有一名学生正在等候。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

waiting outside 修饰 a student,说明这名学生正在做什么。

13-B 过去分词短语

There were two students hurt in the game.
比赛中有两名学生受伤。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

hurt in the game 修饰 two students,表示学生处于受伤状态。

如果重点是说明学生的状态,普通 be 句通常更直接:

Two students were hurt in the game.
两名学生在比赛中受伤了。

句型:1 + be + 3C + (4)

13-C 介词短语

There is a note from Amy on the table.
桌上有一张艾米留下的便条。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

from Amy 修饰 a noteon the table 是地点状语。

13-D 补充:doing 与进行时的区别

比较:

There is a student reading in the library.
图书馆里有一名学生正在读书。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

reading in the library 修饰 a student

The student is reading in the library.
那名学生正在图书馆里读书。

句型:1 + be + 3C + (4)

第二句已经明确谈论 The student。本教程把 is 看作 be 动词,把 reading 看作现在分词补语。


十四、There being

存在句进入简化从句或放到介词后面时,常变成 there being

14-A 作介词宾语

Amy was happy about there being enough food for all the children.
有足够的食物给大家吃,这让艾米很高兴。

整个句子的句型:1 + be + 3C + (4)

there being enough food for all the children 放在介词 about 后面,作介词宾语。

可以还原为较长的表达:

Amy was happy about the fact that there was enough food for all the children.
有足够的食物给大家吃,这件事让艾米很高兴。

名词从句内部:

There was enough food for all the children.

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

14-B 独立短语

There being no school today, the children stayed at home.
今天不用上学,所以孩子们留在家里。

整个句子的句型:(4) + 1 + 2 + (4)

There being no school today 是独立短语,在大句子中作原因状语。

它可以还原为:

Because there was no school today, the children stayed at home.
因为今天不用上学,所以孩子们留在家里。

从句内部:

There was no school today.

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)


十五、For there to be / want there to be

存在句进入不定式结构时,会出现 there to be

15-A for there to be

It is important for there to be enough time.
有足够的时间很重要。

整个句子的句型:1 + be + 3C

for there to be enough time 是后面的真正内容。

15-B want / expect there to be

The teacher wants there to be no mistakes in the answers.
老师希望答案里没有错误。

整个句子的句型:1 + 2 + 3O + (be) + 3C + (4)

在这个结构里,there 占据宾语位置。to be no mistakes in the answers 说明希望出现什么情况。真正的信息重点是 no mistakes

Amy expects there to be enough food for all the children.
艾米预计会有足够的食物给大家吃。

整个句子的句型:1 + 2 + 3O + (be) + 3C + (4)


十六、常见错误

错误正确原因
*There has many books in the library.There are many books in the library.存在句需要 be,不能用 has 代替
*There is many books on the table.There are many books on the table.be 要和真正主语 many books 一致
*There have a problem with the computer.There is a problem with the computer.存在句使用 There be
*I don't know how many books are there.I don't know how many books there are.间接问句恢复正常语序
*There is Amy in the classroom.Amy is in the classroom.已经明确的特定人物通常不用存在句引入

最后一条需要多说一句。

如果只是说明“艾米在哪里”,自然的表达是:

Amy is in the classroom.
艾米在教室里。

句型:1 + be + 3C

在特殊语境中,There is Amy ... 也可能出现。例如,说话人正在列举可以找谁帮忙:

There is Amy in the classroom.
教室里还有艾米。

但是,这种用法不是普通地点说明。初学者先使用普通 be 句。


十七、前面章节回收补充

前面第二章到第二十六章中,有些存在句为了避免过早引入新规则,已经改写或暂时跳过。现在统一补回。

17-A 第十八章:状语从句里的 There be

存在句可以放在状语从句中。整个状语从句仍然作为 (4) 使用。状语从句内部再按 There + be + 1 + (4) 分析。

Because there is little time left, Amy must finish her homework now.
因为剩下的时间不多,艾米现在必须完成作业。

主句句型:(4) + 1 + 2 + 3O + (4)

状语从句内部:There + be + 1 + (4)

Although there is still room for change, the plan is much better now.
虽然仍有修改空间,但是计划现在已经好多了。

主句句型:(4) + 1 + be + 3C + (4)

状语从句内部:There + be + 1 + (4)

Tim checked his homework again because there might be a mistake.
蒂姆再次检查作业,因为里面可能有错误。

主句句型:1 + 2 + 3O + (4)

状语从句内部:There + be + 1

there might be 是带有情态助动词的存在句。might 表示可能性。

17-B 第十一章:情态助动词里的 There be

存在句可以和情态助动词连用。

You can call me if there is a problem.
如果有问题,你可以给我打电话。

主句句型:1 + 2 + 3O + (4)

条件从句内部:There + be + 1

There may be a problem.
可能有一个问题。

句型:There + be + 1

There should be enough food for all of us.
应该有足够的食物给大家吃。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

17-C 第二十一章:倒装句里的 There be

存在句中的 there 不是普通地点副词,而是结构引导词。从表面语序看,真正主语放到了 be 后面。因此,可以把存在句看作一种特殊语序。

There is a new book on the table.
桌上有一本新书。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

比较普通地点句:

The new book is on the table.
那本新书在桌上。

句型:1 + be + 3C

句子重点
There is a new book on the table.先引出一本新书
The new book is on the table.已经知道这本书,现在说明它在哪里

17-D 第二十四章:名词从句简化里的 there being

第二十四章暂时跳过了存在句简化为 there being ... 的结构。现在正式补回。

Amy was happy about there being enough food for all the children.
有足够的食物给大家吃,这让艾米很高兴。

整个句子的句型:1 + be + 3C + (4)

there being enough food for all the children 是介词 about 的宾语。

它可以还原为:

Amy was happy about the fact that there was enough food for all the children.

内部存在句:

There was enough food for all the children.

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

17-E 第二十五章:状语从句简化里的 there being

存在句也可以简化为独立短语,放在句首作状语。

完整从句:

Because there was no school today, the children stayed at home.

简化:

There being no school today, the children stayed at home.

整个句子的句型:(4) + 1 + 2 + (4)

There being no school today 是独立短语,作原因状语。这里不能把 there 当成真正主语。真正的信息重点是 no school

17-F 第二十六章:问句里的 There be

第二十六章已经学过普通问句。存在句问句保留同一个思路:直接问句中,be 移到 there 前面;进入间接问句以后,恢复正常语序。

直接问句:

How many books are there on the table?

间接问句:

Tell me how many books there are on the table.

错误:

*Tell me how many books are there on the table.

17-G 写作时的取舍

There be 很适合引入新信息,但是不要连续使用太多次。如果主语已经明确,普通句通常更直接。

可以使用存在句:

There is a problem with the computer.
电脑有一个问题。

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

接下来已经明确谈论这个问题时,可以改用普通句:

The problem is serious.
这个问题很严重。

句型:1 + be + 3C

写作时可以这样理解:

  1. 第一次引出新事物时,There be 很有用;
  2. 事物已经明确以后,直接把它放在主语位置。

十八、综合练习

请判断下面句子是否正确。如果不自然或错误,请改正。

  1. There is a problem with the computer.
  2. There has many books in the library.
  3. How many seats are there in the classroom?
  4. Tell me how many seats are there in the classroom.
  5. Amy has a new computer.
  6. There is Amy in the classroom.
  7. There have been two changes in the plan.
  8. The teacher wants there to be no mistakes in the answers.
  9. There being no school today, the children stayed at home.
  10. Because there is little time left, Tim must finish his homework now.
  11. There aren't any apples in the bag.
  12. There is two books on the table.

答案

  1. 正确。

There is a problem with the computer.

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

电脑有一个问题。

  1. 错误。存在句不能用 has 代替 be。

There are many books in the library.

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

图书馆里有很多书。

  1. 正确。这是直接问句,be 移到 there 前面。

How many seats are there in the classroom?

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

教室里有多少把椅子?

  1. 错误。进入间接问句以后,要恢复正常语序。

Tell me how many seats there are in the classroom.

整个句子的句型:1 + 2 + 3O + 3O

告诉我教室里有多少把椅子。

  1. 正确。这里表达艾米拥有一台电脑,使用 have 很自然。

Amy has a new computer.

句型:1 + 2 + 3O

艾米有一台新电脑。

  1. 通常不自然。这里只是在说明艾米的位置,应使用普通 be 句。

Amy is in the classroom.

句型:1 + be + 3C

艾米在教室里。

  1. 正确。have been 是 be 动词的现在完成形式。

There have been two changes in the plan.

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

计划已经有了两处变化。

  1. 正确。there to be 进入了不定式结构。

The teacher wants there to be no mistakes in the answers.

整个句子的句型:1 + 2 + 3O + (be) + 3C + (4)

老师希望答案里没有错误。

  1. 正确。There being no school today 是独立短语,作原因状语。

There being no school today, the children stayed at home.

整个句子的句型:(4) + 1 + 2 + (4)

今天不用上学,所以孩子们留在家里。

  1. 正确。Because there is little time left 是状语从句,内部是存在句。

Because there is little time left, Tim must finish his homework now.

主句句型:(4) + 1 + 2 + 3O + (4)

状语从句内部:There + be + 1 + (4)

因为剩下的时间不多,蒂姆现在必须完成作业。

  1. 正确。否定句中常使用 any

There aren't any apples in the bag.

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

袋子里没有苹果。

  1. 不符合标准书面语。真正主语 two books 是复数,应使用 are

There are two books on the table.

句型:There + be + 1 + (4)

书桌上有两本书。


本章小结

结构例子标记
基本存在句There is a problem.There + be + 1
带地点状语There are books in the library.There + be + 1 + (4)
否定句There is no milk.There + be + 1
Yes / No 问句Is there a problem?There + be + 1
Wh- 问句How many books are there?There + be + 1
间接问句I know how many books there are.名词从句作 3O
there beingThere being no school today, the children stayed at home.独立短语作 (4)
there to beThe teacher wants there to be no mistakes.进入不定式结构

核心记忆:

  1. There be 用来引出新出现的人或事物。
  2. 存在句中的 there 不是地点,也不是真正主语。
  3. 真正主语在 be 后面,所以 be 要和后面的名词保持一致。
  4. 直接问句中,be 移到 there 前面。
  5. 间接问句恢复正常语序。
  6. 中文的“有”不一定使用 There be。表达拥有时,常用 have
  7. 已经明确谈论某人或某物时,普通句通常更直接。