進階 · Unit 74
假設語氣過去式
假設語氣過去式是「If + 主詞 + 過去式動詞，主詞 + would/could/might + 原形動詞」的形式，用來想像並說出和現在事實相反的情況。
概念說明
假設語氣過去式是「If + 主詞 + 過去式動詞，主詞 + would/could/might + 原形動詞」的形式，用來想像並說出和現在事實相反的情況。
A. 形式 — If + 過去式動詞，would/could/might + 原形動詞
假設語氣過去式是 if 子句用過去式、主要子句用 would/could/might + 原形動詞配成一組的雙重結構。請把 If + 過去式動詞，would/could + 原形動詞 這個公式整組記起來。
| 結構 | 語感 | 例句 |
|---|---|---|
| If + 過去式，would + 原形 | 想做 / 應該會那樣 | If I had time, I would travel. |
| If + 過去式，could + 原形 | 應該能做到 | If I knew French, I could help. |
| If + 過去式，might + 原形 | 也許會那樣 | If she asked, he might agree. |
- If I lived in Paris, I would visit the Louvre often. (如果我住在巴黎，我就會常常去羅浮宮。)
- If we had a bigger house, we could invite more friends. (如果我們有更大的房子，就可以邀請更多朋友。)
- If you asked her nicely, she might say yes. (如果你好好地拜託她，她也許會答應。)
- If I spoke Japanese, I would work in Tokyo. (如果我會說日語，我就會在東京工作。)
B. be 動詞統一用 were
在假設語氣過去式中，be 動詞不管人稱都用 were 是原則，而「If I were you」像慣用語一樣經常出現。會話中也有人用 was，但在正式場合和考試中一定要用 were。
| 主詞 | 原則 (正式) | 會話可接受 | 例句 |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | were | was | If I were you, ... |
| he / she / it | were | was | If she were here, ... |
| we / you / they | were | were | If they were kind, ... |
- If I were taller, I could reach that shelf. (如果我再高一點，就能碰到那個架子。)
- If he were more careful, he wouldn't make mistakes. (如果他再小心一點，就不會出錯。)
- If the weather were nicer, we would go for a walk. (如果天氣再好一點，我們就會去散步。)
- If I were in your position, I would take the job. (如果我站在你的立場，我就會接下那份工作。)
C. 意思 — 和現在事實相反
假設語氣過去式在時態上用過去，實際上講的卻是「現在」，句子背後藏著「(實際上正好相反)」的言外之意。常用來委婉地表達願望、後悔、建議和客氣的請求。
| 語感 | 例句 | 隱藏的言外之意 |
|---|---|---|
| 願望 | If I had a car, I would drive there. | 現在沒有車 |
| 後悔 | If I knew the answer, I would tell you. | 現在不知道 |
| 建議 | If I were you, I wouldn't quit. | 我不是你 |
| 委婉的請求 | If you had a minute, could you help me? | 現在也許沒有時間 |
| 想像 (相反的事實) | If I were a bird, I would fly everywhere. | 實際上不是鳥 |
| 想像 (沒有的才華) | If I had her talent, I could become a singer. | 實際上沒有那種才華 |
- If I were a bird, I would fly everywhere. (如果我是鳥，我就能飛到任何地方。)
- If I had her talent, I could become a singer. (如果我有她的才華，我就能成為歌手。)
- If I were you, I would talk to her honestly. (如果我是你，我就會誠實地跟她說。)
- If you had a moment, could you check this? (如果你有空，可以幫我看一下這個嗎？)
重點整理
- 1假設語氣過去式雖然時態是過去，但實際指的時間點是「現在」，用來想像和現在事實相反的情況。(例: If I had time, I would go.)
- 2在假設語氣過去式中，be 動詞不管人稱一律統一用 were 是原則。(例: If I were you, ...)
- 3主要子句從 would·could·might 之中依語感選用，後面一定要接原形動詞，請守住這個形式的核心。(例: I would buy / could buy / might buy)
- 4「If I were you, ...」是提出建議的慣用說法，在會話中用得非常頻繁，請把它記起來。(例: If I were you, I would apologize.)
- 5假設語氣過去式的 if 子句裡絕對不用 would 或 will，只用過去式，請遵守這個規則。(例: If I had time, ...)
例句
If I had more time, I would learn Spanish.
如果我有更多時間，我就會學西班牙語。
If I knew her address, I would send a letter.
如果我知道她的地址，我就會寄信給她。
If I were rich, I would travel around the world.
如果我是有錢人，我就會環遊世界。
If she were here, she would know the answer.
如果她在這裡，她就會知道答案。
If I were you, I would take that job.
如果我是你，我就會接下那份工作。
這個單元還有更多例句。註冊後可以看完整內容並聆聽發音。
容易犯的錯誤
If I were you, I would apologize.
If I had time, I would help.
If she knew the answer, she would tell me.
If I had a car, I would drive there.
If he studied harder, he would pass.