问英语｜英语常见问题解答

apologize¹

问

I apologized the teacher for losing his book.

上面的英文句子对吗？

答

应当记住, apologize 是个不及物动词, 不能直接跟宾语。常见的句型是 apologize to sb., apologize for sth., apologize to sb. for sth.。

We apologize to him for our error. 我们因我们的错误而向他道歉。
I apologized (to her) (for stepping on her foot). 我(因踩了她一脚)(向她)道歉。请做下面的英语试题：
The teacher apologized ____ late. A. to his students to arrive B. to his students for arriving C. at his students to arrive D. at his students for arriving(上海高考)
The captain apologized ____ to tell us more about the accident. A. for to be unable B. that he was unable C. to be unable D. for being unable(全国研考)

apologize²

问

(1) Oh, very well. Then there is nothing to worry about. I apologize. [《高中英语教科书》第二册(上), 人教社, p. 56]

(2) JANE: Kate, I'm sorry about that argument. I apologize for being so angry with you. KATE: You were very angry! (同上,3,p.43)

英语的一般现在时表示经常性的动作。上句中的 apologize 也表示经常性动作吗？

答

英语里有一类动词,叫做言语行为动词(performative verbs)。其语义特点是:这些行为是靠说话来完成的:说明自己在说什么或在做什么。其语法特点是:使用主语I并使用一般现在时。由于这类动词所表达的行为是在瞬间发生的(说话时开始并立即结束),所以叫做瞬间现在时(instantaneous present)。它不表示经常性或反复性动作,而表示一次性的瞬间动作。属于此类动词的主要有:

accept, admit, advise, agree, apologize, blame, confess, congratulate, declare, demand, deny, disagree, forbid, forgive, guarantee, insist, object, order, promise, refuse, request, suggest, thank, warn

This, I admit, was my favourite activity. 我承认,这曾经是我最喜爱的活动。
I advise you withdraw. 我建议你们撤出。
I won't tell anybody what you said. I promise. 我不把你说的话告诉任何人。我承诺。
I declare the meeting open. 我宣布开会。
I apologize for what I said about you. It wasn't true and I shouldn't have said it. 我对我刚才谈论你的那些话表示道歉。那些话不符合实际情况，我本不应该那么说。

apologize³

apologize for doing/for having done

问

I apologized to John for losing his book.

“丢书”的事发生在道歉之前,因此,我认为 losing his book 应改为 having lost his book。您说对吗?

答

不改也是正确的，见 gerund $^{8,9}$ ，deny。