指路是你用英语进行的最早的真正对话之一,它有自己的语法:祈使句。
祈使句
主语被省略,只留下光秃秃的动词。
- Turn left at the lights.
- Go straight on.
- Don't take the first exit.(否定句:don't + 动词)
既没有 you,也没有 to。这就是完整的形式。
同一种形式还有另外四种用途
| 场合 | 例子 |
|---|---|
| 食谱和操作说明 | Add the eggs. Stir for two minutes. |
| 标牌和告示 | Keep left. Do not lean on the door. |
| 警告 | Watch your step! · Mind the gap. |
| 提议和邀请 | Have another biscuit. · Come in! |
如果这句话也把你自己包括在内,就需要用 let's:Let's take the bus. 否定形式是 Let's not walk — it's raining.
方向词
| 短语 | 含义 |
|---|---|
| go straight on / ahead | 一直往前走,不拐弯 |
| turn left / right | 向左转/向右转 |
| take the second right | 第二个路口向右转 |
| go past the bank | 经过银行,继续往前 |
| go through the park | 穿过公园 |
| go over / under the bridge | 从桥上经过/从桥下经过 |
| go along / follow this road | 沿着这条路一直走 |
| it's on your left | 在你的左手边 |
| opposite the station | 在车站对面,马路对面 |
| next to / between | 紧挨着/在……之间 |
| at the corner | 在拐角处 |
| at the end of the road | 在路的尽头 |
| at the roundabout / crossroads | 在环岛/十字路口 |
怎么把步骤按顺序说出来
指路是一个有先后顺序的过程,英语会把这个顺序明确说出来:first, then, after that, when you get to…, finally。
- First go straight on. Then take the second left. When you get to the church, turn right.
怎么说距离远近
- It's about two hundred metres.
- It's a five-minute walk.(名词前的 minute 用单数)
- It's just around the corner. · It's a fair way — you're better off taking the bus.
- You can't miss it.(意思是"你不会错过的"——一句很常见的收尾语)
怎么问路
- Excuse me, how do I get to the station?
- Is there a pharmacy near here?
- Which way is the museum?
- Is it far? — About ten minutes on foot.
开头要用 Excuse me。不用的话,问题听起来会很唐突。
怎么让指令听起来更委婉
指路时用光秃秃的祈使句没问题,但当你请求别人做某件事时,它可能会听起来像命令。根据场合选择合适的程度:
| 直接 | 礼貌 | 非常礼貌 |
|---|---|---|
| Turn left here. | Could you turn left here, please? | Would you mind turning left here? |
| Send it today. | Please send it today. | Would you be able to send it today? |
just 也能让语气变软:Just go straight on.
实例解析
Excuse me, how do I get to the library?
— Go straight on, take the second left, and it's on your right, opposite the school. It's about five minutes.
四个指令加一个参照物。这就是一套完整的指路。
当第一次没听清楚的时候
A: Excuse me, which way is the station?
B: Go past the post office, then follow the road round to the left.
A: Sorry, could you say that again? Past the post office, and then?
B: Then left. Keep going and you'll see it on your right. You can't miss it.
Sorry, could you say that again? 这句话值得随时备好:别人指路的语速,往往比你能消化信息的速度快。
自测一下
下面的测验考察祈使句的形式和方向词。