1. 時(shí)態(tài)問題
(1) 表示“認(rèn)為”或“在……看來”時(shí),不用于進(jìn)行時(shí)態(tài);但表示“考慮”“思考”等,可用于進(jìn)行時(shí)態(tài)。如:
I think it’s going to rain. 我想要下雨了。
I’m thinking whether I should go. 我在考慮是否應(yīng)該去。
有時(shí)為了使語氣更委婉或更帶有試探性,可用一般過去時(shí)或過去進(jìn)行時(shí)形式(但并不表示過去意義)。如:
I thought you might like something to read. 我想也許你想要讀點(diǎn)什么。
(2) 用于過去完成時(shí),表示未曾實(shí)現(xiàn)的想法或意圖,可譯為“原認(rèn)為”“本來認(rèn)為”。如:
I had thought that he would come to help us. 我原認(rèn)為他會(huì)來幫助我們的。
2. 否定問題
當(dāng) think表示“認(rèn)為”,且主語為第一人稱時(shí),若其后跟一個(gè)表示否定概念的賓語從句,通常將否定轉(zhuǎn)移到主句上(當(dāng)然若將否定放在從句也不算錯(cuò),只是聽起來較生硬)。如:
I don’t think she’s really fit for the job. 我認(rèn)為她并不真正適合這項(xiàng)工作。
We don’t think he is very clever. 我們認(rèn)為他不是很聰明。
在下列情況通常無需發(fā)生否定轉(zhuǎn)移:
(1) 當(dāng) think 有副詞修飾時(shí)。如:
I really think that he will not help us. 我的確認(rèn)為他不會(huì)幫我們。
(2) 當(dāng) think 前有表示強(qiáng)調(diào)的助動(dòng)詞 do 時(shí)。如:
I do think that you are not right. 我的確認(rèn)為是你不對(duì)。
(3) 當(dāng) think 不是以一般現(xiàn)在時(shí)形式出現(xiàn)時(shí)(如是一般過去時(shí)、過去進(jìn)行時(shí)、過去完成時(shí)等)。如:
I thought you hadn’t read it. 我認(rèn)為你沒有讀它呢。
I had thought he couldn’t pass the exam. 我原認(rèn)為他考試不會(huì)及格的。
(4) 當(dāng)本意是要否定主句時(shí)。如:
We didn’t think we’d be so late. 我們沒想到會(huì)那么遲。
(5) 當(dāng) think 與其他動(dòng)詞并列使用時(shí)。如:
I think and hope that I’m not disturbing you too much. 我認(rèn)為同時(shí)也希望我沒有打擾你太多。
(6) 當(dāng)從句的否定構(gòu)成某種特殊句型時(shí)。如:
I think that he cannot do the work too well. 我認(rèn)為這項(xiàng)工作他干得越出色越好。
3. 詢問看法
詢問對(duì)方看法時(shí),可用What do you think of …或How do you like…,但是習(xí)慣上不說How do you think of …或What do you like…等。比較:
你覺得這部電影怎么樣?
正:What do you think of the film?
正:How do you like the film?
誤:How do you think of the film?
誤:What do you like the film?
你認(rèn)為他什么時(shí)候回來?
正:When do you think he will come back?
誤:Do you think when he will come back?
4. 表示打算
表示打算做些某事,通常用think of doing sth。如:
I’ve been thinking of changing my job. 我一直想換個(gè)工作。
We are thinking about buying a car. 我們?cè)诳紤]買輛汽車。
偶爾也用think to do sth(不算普通)。如:
They think to influence the voters. 他們打算影響選民。
但think to do sth用于否定句表示“沒想到”的意思則屬普通用法。如:
I didn’t think to see you here. 沒想到在這兒見到你。
另外,用于過去時(shí)或過去完成時(shí),表達(dá)本想做某事而實(shí)際上沒做成時(shí),后接不定式也屬正常用法。如:
I thought to leave earlier. 我本想要早點(diǎn)出發(fā)的。
We had thought to return early but they wouldn’t let us go. 我們本想早回來的,但他們不讓我們走。
5. 用于特殊疑問句
與疑問詞連用時(shí),要將疑問詞置于句首。如:
你認(rèn)為他在這里會(huì)呆多久?
正:How long do you think he will stay here?
誤:Do you think how long he will stay here?
6. 在口語表達(dá)中的用法
口語中的Just think…與To think…均表示驚奇,但后者往往還有沒想到或遺憾、可惜等意。如 :
Just think how much money he has spent! 你想想他花了多少錢吧。
Think that he was getting famous already!沒想到他已經(jīng)要出名了。
To think of his not knowing about it! 想想看,他對(duì)此竟然一無所知。
……