英語動詞的功能可以分為:
主動詞 (Main Verb)和助動詞 (Auxiliary Verb)兩種
Main Verb表示各類動作,行為,心理活動或存在變化等意義的詞
Auxiliary Verb, (又叫 helping verb) 本身並沒有詞義,它是用來幫助 main verb,可以改變主動詞意義.形成各種時態、語氣、語態、疑問句、或否定句
動詞詞组 (verb phrase) = 助動詞 + 主動詞
可以說,動詞如果不是 main verb,便是 auxiliary verb
基本上每個完整的句子都有一個動詞
I stand. (stand 主動詞)
I am standing now. (進行時態)
這句 ”動詞詞组” 是 is standing
standing 是主動詞, am 是助動詞
這句 ”動詞詞组” 由助動詞和主動詞組成
助動詞在主動詞前面
助動詞又可以分為三類:(Primary, Modal, Semi-auxiliary)
(1)基本助動詞 (Primary Auxiliary)
有三個 be,do,have
be 有 be, is, am, are, was, were, being, been
do有 do, does, did
have 有 have, has, had
這三個詞的主要功能是协助 main verb 構成進行體,完成體,完成進行體和被動態,在構成否定句或疑問句时充當操作詞
He has left. (現在完成式)
He was robbed. ( passive voice 被動態)
I do not smoke. (否定句)
Do you smoke? (疑問句)
(2) 情態助動詞 (Modal Auxiliary)
有9個.它幫助主動詞來表達能力、意願、責任、許可、推測
can, could, shall, should, will, would, may, might, must
You may go. (may 是 modal)
(3)半助動詞(Semi-auxiliary)
be able to, be about to, is going to, have to, used to, ought to, dare to, need to …
You have to go. (have to 是半助動詞)
be, do have 除了做助動詞,還可做主動詞,故它們又稱 primary verb
He has a car. (has ~ 主動詞)
He was a teacher. (was ~主動詞)
參考: Oxford Dictionary of Grammar; Cambridge Grammar of English