# 文法閱讀筆記 06:祈使句型(起始句)
# 一、為什麼叫「起始句」?
當我們想對對方表達命令、要求、建議、指示、勸阻或禁止(叫對方做 / 不要做某件事)時,會使用祈使句。因為對話雙方都清楚知道動作的對象是「你」,所以主詞 you 通常會被省略,句子因此直接以動詞開頭 —— 這就是老師所稱的「起始句」。
基礎公式:省略主詞 you + 原形動詞開頭
# 二、起始句的六種型態
# 1. 一般動詞句型
原形動詞直接開頭,前方可加副詞修飾(仍算動詞片語的一部分):
- Close the door.
- Transfer the money immediately.
- Remember to change your underwear every day.
- Just call me Peter.(just 修飾動詞)
- Simply throw the bag in the microwave for about 4–5 minutes.(simply 修飾動詞)
- 多個指令可由連接詞串接:Lift the chair and sweep the bugs underneath.(把椅子抬起來,把下面的蟲掃掉)
# 2. Be 動詞句型
當建議 / 要求對方呈現某種狀態(而非做某動作)時,用原形 Be + 補語(形容詞或名詞):
- Be quiet.(安靜點)
- Be confident in your appearance and your abilities.
- Be a great customer, and you will always receive great service.(補語為名詞片語)
- 可多個 Be 動詞句型串接:Be formless, shapeless, like water... Be water, my friend.(李小龍名言)
# 3. Do not 句型(否定)
原形動詞前加 Do not(可縮寫 Don't):
- Come here. → Don't come here.
- Do not leave without a proper explanation.
- 搭配 Be 動詞句型:Don't be sad. Don't be so depressed.
# 4. Let's 句型(邀請/建議共同執行)
Let's = Let us,帶有「我們一起」的語意,後方接原形動詞或原形 Be:
- Let's continue the story.
- Let's give the performer a big hand.
- Let's be honest with each other.
- Let's be more innovative in the way we teach.
- 否定:Let's not + 原形動詞 → Let's not stay home and watch TV.、Let's not be so fearful of change.
# 5. Please 句型(禮貌語氣)
在句首加 please,使命令、建議、勸阻聽起來更客氣:
- Please fill out this form.
- Please lock the cabinet before going home.
- 搭配 Be 動詞句型:Please respect other people's opinions.、Please be patient during the recovery period.
- 搭配 Do not 句型:Please don't look at me like that.、Please don't think this is targeting you.
# 6. 強調句型(Always / Never)
原形動詞前加 always(永遠要/絕對要)或 never(永遠別/絕對不要),語氣更強烈,甚至帶警告意味:
- Always trust your employees to do their work in their own way.
- Never trust your employees to do their work in their own way.
- Always be skeptical of advertising claims.
- Never be nice just to please others.
# 三、例句精讀分析
分析步驟:① 判斷屬於哪一種起始句型 ② 分析片語結構與修飾對象 ③ 解讀語意。
示範例句: Be curious about and interested in the world around you.
- 片語:curious about... 與 interested in...(兩組形容詞片語)由 and 串接,共享後方的名詞片語 the world around you,一起作補語。
- 句型:Be 動詞句型。
- 語意:要對周遭的世界感到好奇且充滿興趣。
1. Be careful not to overcook the potatoes.
- 片語:not to overcook the potatoes 為不定詞片語(副詞,修飾 careful,說明要注意之事,並由 not 轉為否定);與 careful 結合成形容詞片語,作補語。
- 句型:Be 動詞句型。
- 語意:小心別把馬鈴薯煮過頭了。
2. Prevent splashing water on or in the machine.
- 片語:on or in the machine(由 or 串接的兩介系詞片語)修飾 water 潑濺的位置;splashing water on or in the machine 整組動名詞片語作 prevent 的受詞。
- 句型:一般動詞句型。
- 語意:避免把水潑濺到機器上面或裡面。
3. Let's carry on this discussion at some other time.
- 片語:at some other time 為介系詞片語(副詞,補充繼續討論的時間);carry on 為片語動詞,this discussion 為受詞。
- 句型:Let's 句型。
- 語意:我們找別的時間再繼續討論吧。
4. Do not leave this item in direct sunlight for a long period.
- 片語:for a long period 修飾 in direct sunlight(副詞,時間);in direct sunlight for a long period 整體修飾 item 的狀態(受詞補語)。
- 句型:Do not 句型。
- 語意:請勿將此物品長時間放在陽光下曝曬。
5. Press the shutter all the way down to take the picture.
- 片語:all the way 修飾副詞 down(強調往下到底);to take the picture 為不定詞片語(副詞,說明按下快門的目的)。
- 句型:一般動詞句型。
- 語意:將快門完全按下以進行拍攝。
6. Be realistic, and set your goals at an achievable level.
- 片語:at an achievable level 修飾 set your goals(形容詞,說明目標應有的狀態)。
- 句型:Be 動詞句型 + 一般動詞句型(複合起始句)。
- 語意:實際一點,把目標訂在可達成的程度。
7. Stop blaming the media and the food industry for your weight problem.
- 片語:the media and the food industry(由 and 串接)作 blaming 的受詞;for your weight problem 修飾 blaming(副詞,說明怪罪的原因);整組動名詞片語作 stop 的受詞。
- 句型:一般動詞句型。
- 語意:別再把自己肥胖的問題怪罪在媒體和食品產業頭上。
8. Let's learn from our mistakes and try not to repeat them.
- 片語:from our mistakes 修飾 learn(副詞,來源);not to repeat them 為不定詞片語,作 try 的受詞。
- 句型:Let's 句型(複合,learn... and try...)。
- 語意:讓我們從過錯中記取教訓,以後試著不要重蹈覆轍。
9. Always be willing to help others out of love without expecting anything in return.
- 片語:to help others 修飾 willing(副詞);out of love、without expecting anything in return 皆修飾 willing(副詞,說明心態與條件)。
- 句型:Be 動詞強調句型(always)。
- 語意:永遠要願意幫助他人,而且要出自於愛,不期待任何回報。
10. Let's allow the Director of Cultural Affairs Bureau to answer the question and make Kaohsiung prosperous.
- 片語:the Director of Cultural Affairs Bureau 為 allow 的受詞,to answer the question 為其補語;Kaohsiung 為 make 的受詞,prosperous 為其補語。
- 句型:Let's 句型(複合,allow... and make...)。
- 語意:讓文化局長來回答這個問題,也讓高雄發大財。
# 四、重點整理
- 祈使句省略主詞 you,句首直接是原形動詞(一般動詞或 Be 動詞)。
- 六種變化:一般動詞句型/Be 動詞句型/Do not 否定句型/Let's 邀請句型/Please 禮貌句型/Always-Never 強調句型,彼此可以組合疊加(如 Please + Do not、Always + Be)。
- Let's = Let us,帶有「一起」的語意;否定是 Let's not + 原形動詞。
- 判斷句型時一樣要拆解片語結構,找出修飾語與其修飾對象,才能正確解讀語意。