专题13 读后续写句子提升思维之无灵主语
一、读后续写中无灵主语的运用
赏析:
Everybody was fixing their eyes on Jenny, waiting for an explanation. Embarrassed, Jenny didn’t
say anything. Dead silence suddenly fell. Then came Miss Walker’s voice. “Why is Lee’s watch
on your wrist?” Jenny hesitated for a while and decided to tell everybody about the truth.
However, thinking of the well-prepared speech, the magic of the watch, she changed her mind.
“But Miss Walker, could I give the speech first and then explain?” She made a request in a tone of
begging. [70 words]
At that, Miss Walker smiled and asked the class to listen to Jenny’s speech first. Jenny made her
way to the platform with every confidence. Words began to flood out of her. “How could she
make it? We’ve never seen Jenny give so terrific a speech.” Whispers went around the classroom,
and even Miss Walker nodded with approval. Immediately Jenny finished her speech, a storm of
applause erupted from the class. Relieved, Jenny told everyone the truth, and especially the magic
of the watch. “But it’s just an ordinary watch with no magic”, Lee announced. [80 words]
好句式学习：
1. Embarrassed, Jenny didn’t say anything.形容词作状语，精简高级。后文还有：
Relieved, Jenny told everyone the truth.
2. Dead silence suddenly fell.无灵主语，有灵谓语动词，高级。形容词dead 修饰微妙，恰
到好处。包括后文多次运用到抽象名词作主语：
Words began to flood out of her.
Whispers went around the classroom, and even...
Immediately Jenny finished her speech, a storm of applause erupted from the class.
3. Then came Miss Walker’s voice.完全倒装，高级句式。类似的还有：
Then 的完全倒装：
The chairman came then=>Then came the chairman.
Computer was used in teaching then =>Then computer was used in teaching.
4. 衔接词however 的使用，让上下文语义衔接自然。
5. 复合形容词well-prepared 的使用。
6. 分词作状语的使用：
However, thinking of the well-prepared speech, the magic of the watch, she changed her mind.
7. 高级词汇和语块的使用：made a request in a tone of begging，made her way to，with
every confidence
，
nodded with approval，erupted 等。
8. Immediately 引导的时间状语从句的使用。
Immediately Jenny finished her speech, a storm of applause erupted from the class.
二、无灵主语概念以及用法举例
（一）概念
无灵主语（inanimate subject），又叫做物称主语，指的是使用没有生命的事物充当句子的
主语成分，例如物品、动作、情感、时间、地点等，这与中文表达中习惯“以人为本”的
特点，即常常会把人这个行为主体作为句子主语的情况大相径庭，体现了英语语言所强调
的客体思维。
读后续写和概要写作中常用到无灵主语，如
1.Night approaching, darkness ruled the forest.
2.Anxiety tore(撕裂)him into pieces.
3.Anger choked (哽咽)my words.
4.Despair took hold of him.
5.Moreover, less time spent with younger children is attributed to school reforms.
6. Exposure to different cultures can encourage creativity.
（二）句子改写（20 例）
1. In the past four years, our production has increased.
The past four years has witnessed an increase in production.
（时间作主语）
2. At dusk, he was crying in the street.
Dusk found him crying in the street
3. At dawn, the little boy was still working.
Dawn saw the little boy still working.
4. Different people have different opinions.
Views
differ from person to person.
Opinions vary greatly among people.
5. He thought of his mother and didn’t want to eat.
The thought of his mother made him lose his appetite.
The thought of his mother led to his loss of appetite.
6. She couldn’t fall asleep though the jungle was silent.
Sleep didn‘t visit her although the silence of a dead world was on the jungle.
7 .We walked for ten minutes and got to the hotel.
A ten minutes’ walk brought us to the hotel.
8 . They whispered in the classroom.
Whispers went around the classroom.
9. She began to speak.
Words began to flood out of her.
10 .The boy was crying in the street at dusk.
Dusk found the boy crying in the street because he was hungry.
11. In the past four years, our production has increased.
The past four years has witnessed an increase in production.
（时间作主语）
12. Many great historic events happened in the city.
The city had witnessed many great historic events.
（地点名词作主语）
13. They spend less time with their parents because of school reforms.
School reforms lead to less time spent with parents.
14.People with good habits are efficient while those with bad habits are inefficient.
Good habits lead
to efficiency while
bad ones bring
the
opposite.
15. If you compare the two methods carefully, you will find the difference.
Careful comparison of the two methods will show you the difference.
16. He was optimistic just now, but now he is doubtful.
His optimism has given way to doubt.
他的乐观变成了怀疑。
17. We should consider issues of health and safety carefully.
Careful consideration should
be given to
issues of health and safety.
18. I forgot his name at the moment.
His name escaped/failed me at the moment.
19. I didn’t notice the mistake.
The mistake slipped my attention.
20. She changed greatly after ten years of hard work .
Ten years of hard work changed her greatly.
三、无灵主语的种类
（一）主语是情感状态的抽象名词
谓语选择如：creep, strike, seize, dawn, catch, worm into, grip, enter, register, overcome, take
possession of, surround, give way to, desert, pass, tear 等词。
1. Fear gripped the village. 整个村庄笼罩在恐怖之中。
2. Courage deserted him. 他没有了勇气。
3. His presence of mind deserted him. 他失去了沉着。
4. The earthquake struck the village two minutes ago.
5. A new dignity crept into his steps. 他走起路来，不知不觉添了几分尊严。
6. Anxiety tore him into pieces. 他焦虑万分，肝肠寸断。
7. By now optimism had given way to doubt. 现在，乐观变成了怀疑。
8. Anger choked my words. 我气的说不出话。
9. Astonishment deprived me of my power of speech. 我惊讶得说不出话来。 10. Neither
sorrow nor regret followed my passionate outburst.
我这样发作一通之后，既不难过，也不后悔。
11. A chill of horror suddenly swept over him. 他突然感到不寒而栗。
12. Despair seized him at the thought of her setting out alone to renew the weary quest for work.
想起她一个人出去重新登上找工作的艰辛路途，他觉得万念俱灰。
13. Anger and bitterness had preyed upon me continually for weeks and a deep languor had
succeeded this passionate struggle.
几个星期以来，我又气又恨，感到非常苦恼，这种感情上的激励斗争过去之后，我感到浑
身乏力。
（二）主语是具有动词意味的名词，谓语选择如 fill, give, make 等词汇。
1. The sight of the desolation filled me with forlornness.
看到这孤寂的景象，我心中满是凄凉。
2. The sight of his father-in-law made Fanjin afraid that he was in for another cursing. 见丈人在
眼前，恐怕又要挨骂。
3. Only the thought of his mother gave him the strength to go on doing it.
只有想到母亲，他才有力量继续工作。
4. The discovery of a knife in his possession lends to all a suspension of his being the murder.
5. A ten minutes’ walk brought us to the hotel. 我们步行十分钟就到了旅馆。
6. Ten years of hard work changed her greatly.
十年的辛勤劳动使她大大地变样了。
7. Rest brought him new confidence and almost a feeling of security.
休息之后，他充满了新的自信，几乎有了一种相当安全的感觉。
8. Sleep didn't visit Rainsford although the silence of a dead world was on the jungle. 尽管丛林
里是死一般的寂静，雷恩斯福德还是不能入睡。
（三）谓语动词如：slip, lend, elude, escape, stump 等词汇
1. His name escaped/ evaded/ failed me at the moment.
当时我没有记起他的名字。
2. The question eludes/stumps me. 这个问题把我难住了。
3. The mistake slips my attention. 我没有注意到这一错误。
4. His hint escaped me. 我没有注意到他的暗示。
5. The sentence eludes me. 我理解不了这个句子。
（四）谓语动词如：deny, ask, admit, allow, fail, pass 等词
1. The scenery baffles/denies description. 风景美得难以描述。
2. Such a chance denied me. 我没有得到这样一个机会。
3. The matter asks immediate attention. 这件事需要立即处理。
4. The exigencies of the matter admitted no alternative. 此事紧急，别无他法。
5. Reproach spared him not, even in his grave.
即便是在他死后，人们也一直在谴责他。
6. Time fails me to finish the topic. 我没有时间把这一话题说完。
7. The title of the book invites/ spells/ incenses the readers’ interest.
（五）主语中的名词或名词化结构表示原因、方式、目标，谓语动词使用“使…产生变
化”的词汇。
A: 使 失 去 (deprive, cost, rob, bereave, disarm, prevent, diminish)；使增加(add, embolden,
brighten, win)；使无能(disable, incapacitate, disqualify)；使能(enable, empower, qualify)；使
免除 (save, exonerate)
1. Two bowls of wine bolstered up his courage, making him lose his scruples and start his usual
rampaging.
屠户被众人局不过，只得连斟两碗喝了，壮一壮胆，将平日的凶恶样子拿出来。
2. My capacity for hard work saved me from early dismissal.
我要不是能干重活，早就被解雇了。
3. His embezzlement leads to his imprisonment.
4. His addition completed the list. 把他添上以后，名单就完备了。
5. His adventurous exploits soon won him notoriety.
他作战勇敢，屡建 战功，很快就声名远扬。
6. Successive exertion chipped a few pounds off him.
他工作一直太尽 力，瘦了好几磅。
B: 使保持状态(keep, make, hold)
1.
The old and dilapidated house in the deserted lane made a dismal picture.
房子位于荒废的小巷里，破败陈旧，一片凄凉。
2. Loneliness held the immigrants together and poverty kept them down.
孤寂使得移民们聚集在一起，但贫困却使他们情况每况愈下。
3.
The want of his family had kept him from school, and he seemed to feel the loss. 他因家庭贫
困而辍学，他似乎也感觉到这一损失了。
C: 过程、状态变化类动词（throw, get, bring, temper, show, send）
1.
The laconic nature of Washington’s note to Conway had thrown them all in confusion. 华盛
顿给康威的短信，言简意赅，使他们陷入一片慌乱之中。
2.
An early start will get you there at noon. 你早点出发的话，中午就能到。
3.
A careful comparison will show there is no resemblance between the two in nature. 仔细比较
一下就会发现两者在本质上没有相似之处。
4.
A few steps across the lawn brought me to a large, splendid hotel.
沿着草地走上几步，我就来到一个豪华的大宾馆前。
5.
Ten days would disband his corps and leave him 1400 men.
十天以后，他的军队就会土崩瓦解，他也就只剩下 1400 人了。
（六）．将时间、处所作为主语， 谓语动词用 “（使）看见” “（使）听见”
1. That chilly afternoon witnessed him trudging in the snow.
2. Thus the gathering dark often finds me hastening home in a hurrying crowd.
3. Whether it rains or snows, windy or foggy, it is the longing to be home that quickens my steps.
4. Dusk found the child crying in the street.
5. Dawn found him well along the road. 东方破晓的时候，他早已经上路了。
6. Beijing witnesses great changes since the preparation of Olympic Games.
（七）．表示地点或范围的名词
1. The town boasts a beautiful lake. 镇上有个美丽的湖，人人以此自豪。
2. Beijing first saw the raising of the five-star red flag in Tian'anmen Square.
五星红旗首先在北京天安门广场上升起。
3. Shanghai witnessed the birth of the Chinese Communist Party.
中国共产党在上海成立。
4. Rome witnessed many great historic events．
在罗马发生过许多重大历史事件。
（八）. 主语是表示情景的名词
1. A hush fell upon the assembly．会场一片寂静。
2. The softness of the earth gave him an idea．
踏着松软的泥土，一个主意油然而生。
3. A new spirit will dominate the organization with the People's Republic of China. 随着中华人
民共和国的参加，这个组织的精神面貌将焕然一新。
4. The sight and sound of our jet planes filled me with special longing
看到我们的喷气式飞机，听见隆隆的飞机声，令我特别神往。
（九）. 拟人手法
1. Smile crumpled his face.他笑得一脸皱纹。
2. Pork has priced itself out of his dish. 猪肉太贵，他吃不起。
3. This lesson will take root in my mind.
4. Pit closure saw violent scenes. 矿井关闭以后，暴力事件接二连三。
5. The wheel of the car obeys the slightest touch. 这车的方向盘非常灵敏。
6. Gifts and messages snowed in on her birthday.
7. Business took me to town yesterday. 昨天我因业务进城了。
8. History knows only two kinds of war: just and unjust.
历史只知道两种战争：正义的和非正义的。
9. Poor planning wasted all the money and time.
10. Excitement knows no bounds at the party 晚会上人们非常激动。
11. My total ignorance of the connection must plead my apology.
恕我孤陋寡闻，对此关系一无所知。
12. His words sent me a quiver through my body.他的话让我全身不寒而栗。
13. A sudden shower killed the wind.突然下了一阵雨，风停了。
14. Like good looks and money, quick-mindedness passed her by.
她既不美丽，也不富裕，还不聪明。
四、更多例句赏析
35.2.1 表示时间的名词
The year 1949 witnessed the founding of the People's Republic 0f China．
1949 年中华人民共和国成立了。
The postwar years in Germany saw honours heaped upon the great scientist．
在德国战后的岁月里，这位伟大的科学家得到了种种荣誉。
Dawn met him well along the way．It was a pleasant uneventful ride．
在东方欲晓的时候，他早已走了一大段路了。这次骑马旅行是很愉快的，没有碰到意外事
件。
Dusk found the little girl crying in the street．
黄昏时分人们发现小女孩在街上哭。
The evening 0f November 3 saw the IWW(Industrial Workers 0f the World)tactics bearing fruit．
11 月3 日晚，世界产业工人协会的战术生效了。
Autumn sees many young Beijing people in smartly tailored jackets and colorful pullovers and
windbreakers．
到了秋季，北京许多年轻人穿上精心裁制的漂亮上衣，五颜六色的套头毛衣和风雨衣。
35.2.2 表示地点或范围的名词
The town boasts a beautiful lake．
镇上有个美丽的湖，人人以此自豪。
Beijing first saw the raising 0f the five-star red flag in Tian'anmen Square．
五星红旗首先在北京天安门广场上升起。
Shanghai witnessed the birth of the Chinese Communist Part．
中国共产党在上海成立。
Britain Saw the first jet airline in 1952．
第一架喷气式飞机于1952 年在英国诞生。
Rome witnessed many great historic events．
在罗马发生过许多重大历史事件。
The wide range of spindle speeds permit the milling machine for use of carbide tipped and high
speed steel tools．
由于主轴的速度范围很广，因此此类铣床使用硬质合金刀具和高速钢刀具。
35.2.3 表示动作的名词
A glance through his office window offers a panoramic view of the town．
从他的办公室窗口可以一眼看到城镇的全景。
A ten minutes’walk brought us to the hotel．
我们步行十分钟就到了旅馆。
Ten years 0f hard work changed her greatly．
十年的辛勤劳动使她大大地变样了。
The thought of seeing her son very soon filled her heart with great happiness．
想到不久就要见到她的儿子，她心中感到十分快乐。
Rest brought him new confidence and almost a feeling 0f security．
休息之后，他充满了新的自信，几乎有了一种相当安全的感觉。
Sleep didn't visit Rainsford although the silence of a dead world was on the jungle．
尽管丛林里是死一般的寂静，雷恩斯福德还是不能入睡。
35.2.4 表示情感的名词
All my courage deserted me．
我完全丧失了勇气。
Rarely did his sense of humour desert this noble man．
这位高尚的人很少发脾气。
Astonishment deprived me 0f my power of speech．
我惊讶得说不出话来。
Neither sorrow nor regret followed my passionate outburst．
我这样发作一通之后，既不难过，也不后悔。
His first thought made him sick and numb．
他的第一个念头使他作呕，浑身瘫软。
A chill of horror suddenly swept over him．
他突然感到不寒而栗。
Despair seized him at the thought of her setting out alone to renew the
weary quest for woke
想起她一个人出去重新登上找工作的艰辛路途，他觉得万念俱灰。
Anger and bitterness had preyed upon me continually for weeks and a deep languor had succeeded
this passionate struggle.
几个星期以来，我又气又恨，感到非常苦恼，这种感情上的激励斗争过去之后，我感到浑
身乏力。
35.2.5 表示情景的名词
A hush fell upon the assembly．会场一片寂静。
Such a chance was denied(to)me． 我可得不到这样的机会。
Shortness of time has required the omission of some states.
由于时间不够，他不能访问某些国家。
After the WWI(World War I)honours were heaped upon Einstein
第一次世界大战后，荣誉像雪片般地向爱因斯坦飞来。
The softness of the earth gave him an idea．
踏着松软的泥土，一个主意油然而生。
A new spirit will dominate the organization with the People's Republic of China．
随着中华人民共和国的参加，这个组织的精神面貌将焕然一新。
The sight and sound of our jet planes filled me with special longing
看到我们的喷气式飞机，听见隆隆的飞机声，令我特别神往。
35.2.6 表示自然现象的名词
The rain prevented me from coming． 因下雨，我不能来。
The night breeze brought him the perfume 0f the general's cigarette
夜晚微风徐徐，他闻到了将军烟卷的香味。
A heavy rain visited the city·
这个城市刚下过一场大雨。
An earthquake comes like a thief in the night，without warning.
地震到来，犹如夜贼，不作预告。
The shadows tell me that the sun has done much travel since I fell asleep.
目睹太阳投下的阴影，我知道入睡后，太阳巳走过很远的路程。
35.2.7 表示身体部位和音容的名词
My heart failed me at the sight． 一见那情景我就失去了勇气。
The eyes were the same color as the sea，cheerful and undefeated.
碧海般的那双眼睛饱含着兴奋和不可战胜的神色。
His accent suggests shanghai．听他的口音像是上海人。
35.2.8 其他一些名词
Careful comparison 0f them will show you the difference．
只要仔细比较一下，你就会发现它们的差异。
Business took him to the town．他因事进城去了。
A cold that rapidly grew worse cause his unlamented return to Paris．
她患了感冒，而且愈来愈凶，只好回巴黎去了，但对他的离去，谁也没有感到遗憾。
The photo often reminds me of my childhood.
这张照片常使我想起我的童年。
The revolution of 1917 brought a significant change to the difficult pattern
of Russian Jewish existence．
1917 年十月革命成功后，俄国境内犹太人的困难处境立刻有了明显的改变。
Little knowledge will get into trouble in everything．
不学无术将寸步难行。
“My experience in Spain，”Bethune went on，“convinces me that seventy-five
percent of the seriously wounded would recover if operated on immediately．”
白求恩接着说，“我在西班牙已有经验，深信重伤病人如果立即动手术，有75％能够恢复
健康。”
注：以上所列是几种比较常见的可作主语的无灵名词。实际上，英语里无灵名词大多数都
可以在一定的语境中用作主语。
35.3 无灵名词作主语的特点
35.3.1 无灵名词作主语时，常带有前置定语或后置定语
Improved roads and motorized transportation made it possible for the
farmer to send his children by bus to good central high school．
道路改良和机动交通运输工具的出现，使农民可以让子女搭乘公共汽车到较好的中心中学
去上学。
The heavy flywheel coupled with the spindle ensures smooth run of the
spindle．
由于主轴装有飞轮，所以能保证主轴运转平稳。
A comb drawn a few times through the hair in dry，cold weather may
make a cracking sound and cause the hair to stand on end．
在干燥寒冷的天气，拿一把梳子在头发上梳几下，它就会发出噼啪的响声，使头发耸立起
来。
注：有时这类名词作主语时也可不用修饰语，此时往往带有限定词。
例如：
His youth got him off． 由于他年轻，他得到了宽恕。
Those grim times saw adult women change hands，sometimes sold bv their
Starving husbands．
在那冷酷无情的年代里，成年妇女也会易主；有时丈夫自己也挨饿，就把妻子卖了。
35.3.2 无灵名词作主语时常见的谓语动词
无灵名词作主语的句子中，可用作谓语的常见动词有：see，find，
make，bring，cause，enable，desert，prevent，meet，visit，give，witness，convince，
request，compel 等。(例句见上)
35.3.3 无灵名词作主语时常见的动词短语
无灵名词作主语的句子中，某些短语动词(如lead to，bring out，fall up-on．keep／
prevent…from 等)也可用作这类句子的谓语。
例如：Plastics are in evidence．A wet day brings out the colourful light mackintoshes．
塑料随处可见，天一下雨，五颜六色的轻便雨衣就都出现了。
The extreme labour shortage led to further innovations in employing persons on the basis of
ability．
由于劳动力极端缺乏，以致进行了进一步革新，用人只能以才能为标准。
35.3.4 无灵名词作主语时常见的反向心理动词
无灵名词作主语的句子中，谓语动词往往含有“使”的意义，其中所有
“反向心理动词”（Reverse Psychological Verb）都可用作无灵名词的主语。这些动词有：
delight, move, please，strike，amaze，astonish，surprise, worry, trouble，impress，satisfy 等。
例如：
Your letter has amazed me． 你的信使我感到惊讶。
The news greatly surprised us． 这消息使我们大为吃惊。
That answer didn’t satisfy us． 这个回答没有使我们感到满意。
35.3.5 无灵名词作主语具有简洁凝练、含蓄不露等修辞特点
a. This medicine will make you feel better.
b. If you take this medicine, you'll feel better.
a. That moment's stop cost the U.S. team its lead.
b. Because that runner stopped a moment, the U.S. team lost its lead.
a. Another sound from me might make the snake strike.
b. If I made another sound, the snake might strike.
a. The bad weather prevented us from going on the tour.
b. We didn't go on the tour because of the bad weather.
从以上句子可以看出，a.组句与b.组句所表达的意思是一样的，但a.组句
用词简洁、凝练，句意客观公正、含蓄不露。
此外，无灵名词作主语，避免了文章乏味枯燥，句型单调、呆板无力的
弊病，从而使文章显得生动活泼、形象突出，句型多样，长短间隔，错落有
致
35．4 无灵名词作主语的含义
35.4.1 表示时间状语意义
The novel excited him.
看了这部小说，他很激动。
A few steps along the corridor brought me to a large splendid hall.
我沿着走廊走了几步，就到了一个华丽的大厅。
Ten years of hard work changed her greatly.
经过十年的辛勤劳动，她大大地变了样。
The arrival of Monday called Mr．Collins from his amiable Charlotte.
星期一一到，科林斯先生就要和温柔可爱的夏绿蒂分手了。
35.4.2 表示条件状语意义
Careful comparison of them will show you the difference.
你只要仔细比较一下，就会发现它们的不同之处。
The application of special additional device permits the car to run faster
than before．
只要使用一种专用的附加装置，这辆汽车就可以跑得更快。
35.4.3 表示原因状语意义
Rich experience keeps him smooth in his work．由于他富有经验，工作一贯得心应手。
Business took him to the town． 他因事进城去了。
The rain prevented me from coming． 我因雨不能来。
Astonishment deprived me 0f my speech of power． 我惊讶得说不出话来。
35.4.4 表示地点、场所状语意义
Beijing saw many historic events．
在北京发生过许多历史事件。
The world has witnessed different roads to modernization．
世界上已经有不同的现代化道路。
35.4.5 无灵名词作主语在有些场合并不暗含状语意义(即可直译)
Rome witnessed many great historic events．
罗马城目睹过许多重大的历史性事件。
Their drive moved us deeply．
他们的干劲使我们深受感动。
Excitement deprived me of all power of utterance．
兴奋使我什么话都说不出来。
Darkness would make him more appreciative of sight；silence would teach
him the joys of sound．
黑暗使人更加珍惜光明；寂静教人体会到声音的欢乐。
Socialism isn't talking all the time，it is living，it's singing，it's dancing，it's being interested in
what go on about you，it's being concerned about people and the world．
社会主义不是夸夸其谈的学说，它是活生生的事实，它在唱歌，它在舞蹈，它感兴趣的是
与人民息息相关的事情，它所关心的是人民和世界的前途。
