始动性动词表示由一种状态向另一种状态的过渡或变化,意味着前一状态的结束和新的状态的开始,这种状态是短暂的,不延续的。所以始动词都是表示短暂动作的动词,只能与始动性副词now或already 连用,不用时间状语。这类动词分为2类:
1、表示短暂动作的始动性动词,如 agree,arrive, begin, bring, cease/stop, change, come,go, fall,get,gather, determine, land, let, marry, put, retire, rise, set ,start, take off等。这些动词有的是不及物动词,有的是及物动词,有的是系动词。如
Write to me when you get to England. 到英国后给我写信。
The time has arrived for an action. 行动时机已到。
不及物的始动词用于完成时时,表示由一个状态向另一个状态的过渡和变化已经完成。这些动词的一般现在时被动式也表示这意思,其意义相同。如
The moon has /is set. 月亮落下去了。
The beer has /is all gone. 啤酒都喝光了。
2、表示始动意义的姿势型动词,即表示人体坐、立、卧等动作或状态的动词具有始动词的特点。主要有以下几种:
a、表示站立起来的动词短语clamer/get/jerk/jump/rise/sring/stagger/start/struggle+to one's feet, get out of the chair, stand up等。如
He jumped suddenly to his feet. 他忽然一跃而起。
Stand up when the teacher enters the classroom. 老师进教室时要起立。
b、表示坐的动词或短语 drop/fall/sink into a chair, be seated/seat oneself, sit down等。如
The guest sat himself down beside the host. 客人在主人身旁就坐。
He dropped into his chair with a sigh of relief. 他一屁股坐在椅子上,舒心地叹了口气。
c、表示躺、卧的动词短语 fall into the ground, get into the bed,lay down ,lie down等。如
After taking a bath, he went to/got into bed. 洗完澡之后,他就上床睡觉了。
d、表示跪的动词或短语 drop/fall/sink on/upon to one's knees, kneel down, throw oneself down to one's knees 等。如
He dropped/fell/sank to his knees. 他双膝跪了下来。
e、表示蹲的始动词或短语 bend one's knees to a squat, squat down等。如
The child squatted (himself) down to draw on the sand.小孩蹲下来在沙地上画画。
I bent my knees to a squat. 我双膝一曲蹲了下来。