英语专业毕业论文Discussion on English Voice.doc

Discussion on English Voice中文摘要:语态是一个语法范畴.它是用来表示主语和谓语动词之间关系的一种形式.语态有主动和被动两种形式.如果主语是动作的执行者,谓语动词就要用主动形式.如果主语是动作的承受者,动词就要用被动形式.张克礼等一些语法学家认为被动语态可以分为三种:真被动,假被动和半被动.本文将简单论述英语语态.关键词: 主动语态 被动语态 转换 限制Abstract: Voice belongs to grammar category. It is a form of verbs which expresses the relation between the action and its subject in sentences. Indicating whether the action is performed by the subject or passes on to it. In English, there are two kinds of voice: the active voice and the passive voice. If the subject performs the action, then the verb form is in the active voice. If the subject receives the action, then the verb form is in the passive voice. Zhang Keli and some other grammarians divide the passive voice into three kinds: true-passive, pseudo-passive and quasi-passive. This paper will discuss on English voice.Key words: active voice, passive voice, transformation, constraints, form meaningIntroductionEnglish voice belongs to grammar category. It is a form of verbs between subject and verb. Traditionally, the voice of English grammar is divided into active voice and passive voice. When the subject is the executor of the behavior, the form of predicate is active voice. When the subject is the taker of the behavior, the form of predicate is passive. Many grammarians think that there are relations of transformation between active voice and passive voice. In practice, the transformation between the active form and the passive form is complicated. There are many differences between active voice and passive voice, so the transformation between the active voice and the passive voice is constrained by lexical, semantic and situation.1.1. Usually, the active voice can be transformed into passive voice.For examples:A number of workers have challenged this view.This view has been challenged by a number of workers.A grenade killed his best friend.His best friend was killed by a grenade.1.2. Sometimes, the active voice can be transformed into passive voice.For examples:I have a house in the country.A house is had by me in the country. (F)She married a Frenchman.A Frenchman was married by her. (F) Passive voiceWe give a simple definition to the passive voice in form, namely, be/get+ -ed. Zhang Keli and some other grammarians divide the passive voice into three kinds. Those are true-passive, pseudo-passive and quasi-passive.2.1. True-passive2.1.1. A sentence with executor is called true-passive. The true-passive can be divided into ideality and non-ideality.For examples:The violin was made by my father.Sentence (1) is an ideality passive voice. Because it has an executor and the executor is a person. It is corresponding to the active voice: “My father made the violin.”Coal has been replaced by oil.Sentence (2) is a non-ideality passive. Because it doesnt directly correspond to an actor. It can be transformed into two actors: “Oil has replaced coal.” “People have replaced coal by oil.”2.1.2.ed in the true-passive is called verbal-participle(动词性分词). The executor of true-passive refers to the person. Sometime, the executor is unclear or doesnt be demoted. The executor just can be led by “by” or omitted.For examples:His best friend was killed by a grenade.This view has been challenged by a number of workers.The news was confirmed by a telegram.Three machines can be controlled by a single operator.The light is refracted by the surface of the glass.2.2. Pseudo-passiveAnother passive form is “pseudo-passive”. It is considered as passive. Because the predicate of pseudo-passive is “be+-ed”. It is impossible that pseudo-passive can be transformed into active voice. “Be” in pseudo-passives can be replaced by “become, feel, remain and seem”. The past participles can be modified by “very, quite, more and rather.” The participles in pseudo-passive dont have the characteristics of verbal-participle. It just becomes an adjective.For examples:My uncle was (got or seemed) (very) tired.The car was old and ruined.The agentless passive sometimes is regarded as “subject + copula + predicative”.2.3. Quasi-passive2.3.1. Quasi-passive also call semi-passive. It is between true-passive and pseudo-passive. The ed participles in quasi-passives can express the characteristics of verbal-participle and adjectival-participle. This structure can be transformed into active form. It also can be modified by “very, quite more and rather”. “Be” in quasi-passive can be replaced by “feel, seem, become and remain”.For examples:I was alarmed by the news. The news alarmed me. I was alarmed by and angry at the news. I was very alarmed by the news. I felt alarmed by the news.She was irritated by these two children. These two children irritated her. She was irritated by and fond of these two children. She was more irritated by this child than by that. She appeared irritated by these two children.2.3.2. The quasi-agent in quasi-passive can be led by “about, at, over, to, in, with.”For examples:She was worried about her son. Her son worried her.Betty was surprised at the gifts. The gifts surprised Betty.He was overcome with horror. Horror overcome him.2.4. In English some transitive verbs are only used in passive voice, but arent used in active voice. Such as: dress, shave, located, situate, satisfy, determine, doom, etc.For examples:Our college is situated in the suburbs.The house is located near the lake.She was dressed in red.He was freshly shaved. Active form expresses passive meaningIn English, the active form of some transitive verbs usually expresses active meaning. But its model is “V + Doing”.3.1. The following verbs, such as: want, need, require, deserve, etc + doing express passive meaning.For examples:My room wants whitewashing.He deserved punishing.This problem requires discussing.Our classroom needs cleaning.3.2. In the following model “have/getdone”, the active form expresses passive meaning.For examples:I have my hair cut.You have to make yourself understood.Dad had me called a doctor.He has his shirts cleaned at the dry-cleaners.3.3. Some transitive verbs like: read, write, open, shut, fill, cook, drive, lock, cut, iron, feel, sell, wash, etc. When they are used as intransitive verbs in sentences, their active form expresses passive meaning. The subjects refer to things.For examples:The stone moved.Social customs changed.The door wont shut.There are some other conditions that the active form expresses passive meaning.3.3.1. When they are used in adverbial which expresses mode of behavior, the active form expresses passive meaning.For examples:The bridge has washed out.Television sets sell very well.3.3.2. When they are used in modals, the active form expresses passive meaning.For examples:The box wont lock.The book would not translate well.3.4. The continuous tense of verbs can express passive meaning.(1) The potatoes are cooling.(2) The meat is cooking.(3) The film is showing there.(4) The books are printing. Passive form expresses active meaningIn English, some transitive verbs are only used in passive voice, but arent used in active voice, such as: dress, shave, locate, situate, excite, satisfy, determine, doom, born, etc.For examples:Our college is situated in the suburbs.The house is located near the lake.She dressed in red.He was freshly shaven.He is satisfied with my work.I was so excited that I couldnt say a word.They are determined to fulfill their task ahead of time.The plan was doomed to failure.The flowers are fadedI was born in 1980.Voice transformation constraintsAs we all know, voice transformation can be used to express two forms:Active voice: Executor + V + OPassive voice: Taker + be + v-ed (by executor)For examples:John teaches Mary.Mary is taught by John.In practice, the transformation between the active and the passive is complicated. They are constrained by lexical, semantic and situation.5.1. Lexical-constraints5.1.1. As we all know that the active voice of transitive verbs can be transformed into passive voice. But there are some transitive verbs cant be used in passive sentences. Transitive verbs which express condition, sentiment and understanding, etc, are usually used in active voice, such as: love、 hate、wish、 own、suit、 fit、cost 、 lack 、want、 last 、 resemble 、 suffice, etc.For examples:All the young men like him, but the boss hate him.I have a dictionary.Anytime will suit me.He lacks confidence.The war lasted eight years.5.1.2. Some transitive verbs are seldom used in passive voice in sentences. People arent interested in the agent. Such as: elude、 escape 、 flee、get、 let、race, etc.For examples:He eluded capture for weeks by hiding underground.During the civil war thousands of people fled the country.Dont let the dog out of the roomThe policeman raced after thief.5.1.3. The mean of transitive verbs make the sentences change into the passive voice. Because people think the action isnt worth to mention. Like: be said/ reputed/ born caught (in) /supposed etc.For examples:(1) He was caught in a traffic jam.(2) Somebody caught in a traffic jam.(3) She is reputed to be the best singer in Europe.(4) People reputed her to be the best singer in Europe.(5) We are supposed to be back before dark.(6) People suppose us to be back before dark.We cant say so. Sentences (2), (4) and (6) are wrong. But, usually, people dont use passive voice on this condition.The following words are adjective participles, so they are usually used in quasi-passive. Such as: acclaimed、alleged、annihilated、baffled、born、 compressed、conditioned、construed、couched、cremated、dazed、deafened、 debased、deemed、disconcerted、dwarfed、earmarked、empowered、fined、 gutted、headed、horrified、hospitalized、indicated、inundated、 jailed、misdirected、overcome、paralyzed、penalized、perpetrated、pilloried、populated、 prized、punctuated、rationed、reconciled、reprieved、reunited、rumored、shipped、 shipwrecked、short-listed、shrouded、staffed、stranded、strewn、subsumed、 suspended、wounded, etc.5.1.4. When the verbs are used in the perfect continuous tense. They cant be transformed into passive voice.For examples:(1) He has teaching English.(2) English has been being taught by him. (F)(3) English has been taught by him. (F)(4) The dog has chasing Michael.(5) Michael has been being chased by the dog. (F)(6) Michael has been chased by the dog. (F)From this six sentences, we know that the perfect continuous aspect has been be replaced by perfect aspect in passive sentences.5.1.5. When the clause or infinitive is used as the object in the active voice, it cant be transformed into passive voice.For examples:(1) Mary thought that John was handsome.(2) That John was handsome was thought by Mary. (F)(3) Mary hoped to meet him.(4) To meet him was hoped by Mary. (F)Sentences (2) and (4) are wrong. The two sentences not only dont accord with the rules of grammar, but also dont accord with the language usage.5.1.6. When the relation between subject and object is reciprocal, the sentence can be only used in active voice5.1.6.1. Reciprocal pronouns as objectsFor examples:(1) They helped each other.(2) Each other were helped by them. (F)5.1.6.2. Reflexive pronouns as objectsFor examples:(1) I saw myself in mirror.(2)Myself was seen by me in the mirror. (F)5.1.7. When the object is cognate object, the active voice cant be transformed into passive voice.For examples:(1) They laughed a heavy laugh.(2) A heavy laugh was laughed by them. (F)(3) He died a heroic death.(4) A heroic death was died him. (F)On this condition, passive voice doesnt follow this grammar rule.5.1.8. When the relation between object and subject expresses the part and the whole, active voice cant be transformed into passive voice.For examples:(1) The doctor shook his head and turned away.(2) They encountered a lot of hardships on the long march.5.1.9. If there are double objects in the active voice sentence, indirect object can be transformed into the subject of passive sentence.For examples:(1) He gave me an English novel. I was given an English novel. (F) An English novel was given tome. (F)(2) She cash me a cheque. I am cashed a cheque. (F) A cheque is cashed for me. (F)5.1.10. When the object complement is in the structure “have + sth. done” this object cant be transformed into the subject of the passive.For examples:He has his shirts cleaned at the dry-cleaners.He has his hair cut.You have yourself understood.Dad had Joan called a doctor.5.2. Semantic-constraintsThe paper discusses on some restrictions of voice transformation. There is another restriction in semantics. The active voice doesnt totally as the same as the passive voice. So the active and the passive are usually different in semantics. In order to follow the demand of language communication, the active and the passive cant be transformed into each other.5.2.1. As the subject and object transform into each other, the sentence may follow the rules of grammar. Sometimes, the active and the passive cant transform into each other.For examples:(1) The students will be trained to write notes by studying the passage in detail.(2) Studying the passage in detail will train the students to write notes.5.2.2. The active transforms into the passive, the two sentences vary completely in meaning.For examples: (1) She cant teach John. (2) John cant be taught. The two sentences express two different meanings. Sentence (1) means “She is unable to teach John.” In this sentence “can” refers to “ability”. Sentence (2) means “It is impossible (for her) to teach John.” Or “John is unable to learn.” In this sentence “can” refers to “possibility”. The two sentences show that active cant transform into passive freely. Especially, in the sentence there is a model verb.For example: (1) I shall punish you. (=Im going to punish you.) (2) You shall be punished. (=You must be punished.) (3) Why wouldnt Miranda ride the gray mare? (=Why did Miranda refuse?) (4) Why wouldnt the mare be ridden by Miranda? (=Why did the mare refuse?) 5.2.3. After the voice transformed, the meaning of active and passive are the same, but the points are different. (1) John cleaned the bike. (2) The bike was cleaned (by John). The two sentences describe the same thing. Sentence (1) is to answer the question “Who cleaned the bike?” Sentence (2) is to answer the question “Was the bike cleaned?” If people want to know “who” cleaned the bike, it is just can answer by executor. 5.3. Situation-constraints 5.3.1. Sometimes, in order to stress the core, keep one subject or not change the subject, and make the whole sentence clear and coherent, in the sentences we have to use passive voice.For example: (1) He rose to speak, and was listened to with enthusiasm by the great crowd present. (2) She came to the Derby, not only to see, but jus