如果,只想了解–to for of經常混淆的句型與判斷技巧,可以直接下拉到文章的後半部分。(讀者如果想要了解其他介系詞的用法,可以閱讀『at, on, in的用法解析』跟『情緒形容詞要接哪個介系詞?』這兩篇文章。
介系詞to for of的用法概要
想要熟練英文介系詞,最好的方法就是注意單字的連用詞,並且大量聽讀英語人士的演說與文章,以及觀看英文影片。因為,英文介系詞沒有明確而統一的使用法則,而是一種語法習慣。幸好,他們還是有一些基本的概念。只要熟悉這些基本概念,對於我們記憶什麼情況使用哪個介系詞會有很大的幫助。
TO
to有兩種詞性:
- 不定詞
作為不定詞的一部份,他後面要接動詞原形,表達目的、結果跟原因。 - 介系詞
做為介系詞,它指出動作的目的地、方向、限度、或對象。還可以表示到一個時間點或地點(常見from…to…)。同時,它也有東西到了另一個地方的意味(移轉)。最後,有些具有比較意味的單字,如junior, senior, superio, inferior等字,後面用to,不用than。
不定詞用法的例句:
- 表達目的
I got up early to catch the first bus.
早起去搭第一班公車 - 表達結果
She tried hard only to fail.
(努力做卻失敗了) - 表達原因
I am afraid to work with him.
我怕跟他一起工作(害怕的原因)
介系詞用法例句:
- I went to the park.
動作的目的地(注意arrive後面不用to) - She gave a book to me.
東西到了別的地方 - They are going to work together from tomorrow to the end of the month.
動作從一個時間點到另一個時間點 - It is only a five-minute walk from my home to school.
我家到學校走路只要五分鐘 - I talked to him last night.
說話的對象 - The water came to my waist.
水位到達我的腰(限度) - The film could cost up to $1000,000.
這影片的拍攝費用可能達到一百萬元(限度) - I prefer coffee to tea.
比起茶,我比較喜歡咖啡(比較) - He is superior (或inferior / senior / junior) to me.
比起我來,他比較厲害(或差,年長,年輕)
含有介系詞to的一些常見片語
在記英文時,不要只背一個字的意思,而是要將他的連用詞一起記下來。以下介紹一些介系詞to的連用片語:
- look forward to something (look forward to doing something)
- object to something
- appeal to someone
- boil down to something
- get to something
- travel to a place
- apology to 人 跟人道歉
(*apologize for 事或動作 為某事道歉 - belong to屬於
- apply to +公司或學校名稱
請注意,使用這些片語時,to的後面如果要接動詞,請先將動詞加上ing變成名詞。(在這裡,to是介系詞,後面接名詞,動詞加上ing變名詞)
- I am looking forward to seeing you soon.
期待與你相見 - She objected to going with me.
她拒絕跟我一起去 - The dress appeals to me.
這件洋裝很合我意 - Our problem boiled down to one thing–lack of money.
我們的問題主要原因在於(歸結於)缺錢 - Let’s get to the point.
直接了當的說 - Mary applied to six universities.
向六個學校提出申請
含有to的句首片語
不管是不定詞或介系詞的用法,有些包含to的片語,可以用作句子的開頭,用來表示與前文的關係,他們也被稱作連結片語。以下介紹幾個常用的連結片語跟例句。
to的不定詞用法的連結片語與例句:
- To begin/start with, I’d like to thank my mother for supporting me.
這個片語的意思是–首先–用來提出討論或想法的第一個要點 - To sum up, we need to do our best to protect the environment.
這個片語的意思是–總之–用來提出結論 - To tell (you) the truth, I don’t think John loves Mary.
這個片語的意思是–說實話–用來表示心裡真實的想法
to的介系詞用法的連結片語與例句:
- To a great extent, they worked hard for the project.
這個片語的意思是非常地,也就是在很大的程度上 - To some extent, I am responsible for the accident.
這個片語的意思是多多少少,也就是在某個程度上
for
我們使用介系詞for來解釋動作的理由、原因跟表達動作持續的時間長度。for也可以用來表示幫助或助益、東西的功能與用途、還有交換的概念。在不正式的場合中,口語可以用what…for代替why。
for也是一個對等連接詞,用來表示原因,後面接著句子,通常使用在很正式的場合,要注意喔!
- What is he here for?
(why) - We bought the car for three reasons.
- She used to study math for three hours every day.
動作持續的時間 - I need to clean the house for my mother.
帶給媽媽助益,也可以說是為了媽媽 - The oil is used for making soap.
表示東西的用途 - You can trade your used computer for something useful online.
用舊電腦換別的東西(交換) - I got NT$1500 for US$50 at today’s exchange rate.
交換
含有介系詞for的一些常見動詞片語
一樣,在這裡,我們介紹幾個常見的含有for的動詞片語:
- care for
- look for
- substitute A for B
用A取代B,(A留下,B再見) - take A for B 認為A是B
- apply for + 想要的東西或職位 求職或取得允許等
- apologize for 事或動作 (為事道歉)
(apology to 人 向人道歉) - travel for +目的/一段時間
- ask for 要求…
- prepare for 為…準備
- wait for等待
- She doesn’t care for her baby at all.
不關心或不照顧 - The boy looked for his dog for a couple of hours.
尋找 - I substituted sugar for honey because I didn’t have any honey.
用糖取代蜂蜜 - His mother looks young. Many people take her for his sister.
很多人以為他媽是他姐 - She’s applying for a job.
求職
含有介系詞for的一些常見片語
常見的含有for的片語:
- for a while, for a moment (一陣子,一會兒)
- for ages=for a long time
- for good (=forever)
- for sale (要販售的)
- for a change (並不是習慣做的事,只是用來變換一下心情或氣氛等)
- for now; for the moment (眼下、暫時、目前 – 暫且如此的意思)
- for instance; for example (舉例)
- for better or worse (無論好壞,不管怎樣)
- As for …
第6-9個片語可以放在句首,作為連結片語。
- I waited for him for a while.
- I haven’t listened to music for ages.
- I decided to leave here for good.
- This picture is not for sale.
非賣品 - I had my hair cut short for a change.
- Let’s take care of dinner for now.
- For the moment, I just want to focus on my study.
- For instance, we can turn off the light every time we leave the room.
- For better or worse, she promised to leave him.
of
of的用法大致如下:
- 前後的兩個字通常有部分與整體或擁有者與擁有物的關係:
a friend of mine, the legs of the chair, the role of a teacher, the most important of all - 表達前面名詞的背景或特質:
a man of American descent, a photo of my dog, a story of passion - 表示測量、時間或年齡:
a girl of ten, a glass of milk, the first of January, the year of 2008, an increase of 5 percent - 加在由一些動詞轉成的名詞後:
the arrival of the police, the howling of the wolves - 接在一些動詞後面,構成動詞片語:
think of(想到), rob somebody of something(搶某人的東西), deprive somebody of something(奪取某人的東西), remind A of B(讓A想起B) - 接在表達情緒的形容詞後面,表示情緒的原因:
be proud of, be afraid of
- The arrival of the police ended the fight.
- He robbed the woman of her money.
- No one should be deprived of his freedom.
這裡使用被動態,因為主詞不明確,句子的重點放在被剝奪的人身上 - This reminds me of my mother.
- She is proud of her daughter.
to for of經常混淆的句型
與格(授與)動詞句型
什麼是與格(授與)動詞?通常能夠將S V A to / for / of B 改寫成S V B A (A跟B是受詞,通常A是東西, B是人或生物),這種動詞就叫做與格(授與)動詞。因為中文翻譯可能一樣,所以很多人搞不清楚要用to,for還是of。在這裡,我們提供一個很有用的技巧,可以正確判斷出來,不用死背。請注意:與格動詞比較常用的是沒有介系詞的句型,也就是 – 前述的SVBA。
- 只要動作是直接對著B做,或作用到B身上,就要用to
bring, give, hand, lend, pass, owe, pay, promise, read, sell, send, show, take, teach, tell, write - 動作沒有對著B做,就用for,意思是為了B去做這個動作
make, buy, choose, cook, fetch, order, get, pick, find - 動詞有詢問的意思,像ask,其直接受詞為question或favor,則要用of
動作直接對著受詞B做,用to
- She gave a gift to me.
對著我給 - He sold the car to me.
對著我賣 - Her friend told a story to her.
對著她說故事 - David taught English to the little girl.
對著她教英文 - They lent a large amount of money to him.
對著他借出錢 - My boss promised a promotion to me.
對著我承諾
動作沒有直接對著受詞B做,而是為了受詞B而做用for
- They made a house for their dog.
製造這個動作,並沒有作用在狗身上 - My father bought a bag for me.
買這個動作,並沒有直接對我做 - I found the wallet for him.
尋找這個動作,並沒有直接對著他做 - The man picked a flower for his girlfriend.
pick這個動作不是作用在女朋友身上
動詞為詢問
- He asked a question of me.
因為動詞是ask,所以用of
有些後面接to的與格(授與)動詞,也是一般的動詞。當他們是一般動詞時,句型是S V O for B.(接的介系詞也有可能是別的,在這裡只說明for),意思卻跟與格(授與)動詞用to的時候不同。還有一些動詞,後面可以加to,也可以接for,但是語意不一樣。這一點導致學生混亂,不知要接to,還是接for。如果沒有掌握好,容易造成讀者的誤解,或誤會作者的意思。
最好的判斷方式一樣是–動作有沒有直接對著受詞B做,有就用to。如果不是與格動詞,那受詞是不是到B那裡?如果是,就用to,因為to 有移轉的意味。如果沒有,而是為了B而做這個動作,就用for–記得嗎?for有幫助跟原因的意思。這些動詞有:write, read, send, bring, sing, sell, leave等。
- Sam sent the letter for me.
幫我寄信
Sam sent a letter to me.
寄信給我 - She sang a song for me.
為我唱一首歌,但可能不只唱給我聽,也不是對著我唱
She sang a song to me.
對著我唱歌 - He wrote a letter to me.
我是收信人
He wrote a letter for me.
我托他寫信,可能我不識字 - Don’t do this to me.
對我做這件事
She did it for me.
為了我而做 - I made a phone call to her.
她是收話人
I made a phone call for her.
為她打電話,她不是收話人 - She asked a question of me.
問我ㄧ個問題
She asked me to help her.
She asked me for help.
請我幫忙,直接受詞不是東西,是人,所以在這個句子中,ask不是與格動詞 - Please grab those balls for me.
幫我拿球,拿的動作沒有對著我做
虛主詞句型 It is adj for/of 人 to V…
這個句型不只是英文最重要且常用句型之一,也是會考必考句型了。判斷方法很簡單:形容詞是描述to V 的特色(事的特色),介系詞就用for; 描述人的特色,就用of
- It was kind of him to help me.
kind描述人的特質,用of - It is necessary for me to get to college.
necessary描述to V這件事的特質,用for(其實,語言趨向簡單,能用越少字越好。這個語意通常用I must get to college. 就好) - It is foolish of you to say so.
foolish是人的特質,用of - It is good for you to get up early.
good是to V這件事的特質,用for
S be 形容詞的句型
這種句型形容詞分為三種:
- 表達情緒的形容詞
- 情緒動詞的現在分詞當形容詞
- 情緒動詞的過去分詞當形容詞
- 一般形容詞
表達情緒的形容詞
這一類的形容詞有afraid, proud, sick等,其後面如果是of,就接名詞,如果是to(不定詞用法),就要接原形動詞。
- Your father is proud of you.
- I am sick of math.
- She is afraid of snakes.
She is afraid to swim.
情緒動詞的現在分詞當形容詞
有些動詞表達主詞引發受詞的某種情緒,我們可以稱他們為情緒動詞。例如:excite, shock, interest, satisfy, surprise, confuse, disgust, amaze, embarrass, bore, tire, impress, scare。
情緒動詞的例句為:
The book interested me.
The book is interesting to me.
I am interested in the book.
情緒動詞的現在分詞表達主詞令人產生某種情緒,如果考題為S be Ving to/for人(生物),那麼大致上選介系詞to,都會是正確答案。但是,英文為母語的人好像兩種介系詞都會用到。或許兩個用法所表達的意思有些差異,但這個差別太微妙,我們英文非母語人士真的很難分辨清楚。
- The movie was exciting to me. 當有人跟你說這部電影不刺激,你就說我覺得很刺激啊 (參考母語人士說,在跟別人比較時,用to,單純講自己的個人感受時用for。)但是,exciting to me是學校教的片語,就請用to
– The movie was exciting for me.那電影好刺激喔 - The news was surprising to me.
- Studying math is tiring to me.
- This is kind of shocking to me.
- The book is interesting to me.
情緒動詞的過去分詞當形容詞
情緒動詞的過去分詞表達主詞有某種情緒,後面要接哪個介系詞,要視這個情緒形容詞而定。沒有捷徑,只能在記這些情緒分詞時,將連用的介系詞一併記下來。
- I was excited about the trip.
- She is interested in English.
- I am bored with life.
- He was surprised at the news.
- I am tired of him.
- He was confused about it.
- Linda was embarrassed at his question.
- We were frightened at the storm.
一般形容詞
這組字很多,也沒有一以貫之的法則,只能多花時間去記連用詞,但是大致上,如果形容詞直接作用在受詞身上,就用to(to表示到..去與點出對象); 如果沒有,就用for(for用來表示有無益處,原因、功能或交換)。
- Math is difficult for me.
我覺得數學很困難(沒有助益) - Taiwan is famous for its foods.
因為食物聞名 - Exercising is good for your health.
對健康有益 - She is kind to me.
我是接收kind的對象 - He is good to me.
我是接受good的對象 - The book is important to me.
我是接受important的對象
還有,在句子的開頭,大多是To me, S V.
to跟for的細緻差別
- Something is exciting to me.別人覺得不刺激,你想要表達自己的感覺不同,就用to
Something is exciting for me.只是單純表述個人的經驗,就用for - Something is important to me.
我很重視這件事。很主觀。說話者在告訴聽者他個人認為這件事很重要,沒有這個東西,可能會對自己產生影
Something is important for me.我需要這件事,這件事會對我有助益。用for,表示這個重要性是由第三者決斷,沒有這東西,可能會也可能不會對說話者有影響
很多時候,用to 還是for,要靠大量的聽讀來建立語感。有些情況,當兩個介系詞都可以使用,而語意差異很微妙時,我們英文非母語人士,真的不太能夠分辨清楚,就不要追根究底了。反正,只要不是考試,用哪一個,都不會造成太大的歧異。英文介系詞是連母語人士都會亂用的,他們都不在意了,我們也不要太糾結不會造成誤解的小細節。
- It is important for you to get well.
恢復健康對你有助益(如果不講文法概念,在這裡,依照語言趨向簡單的原則,用You need to get well. 就好了) - It is important to your family that you get well.
你的家人很重視妳是否恢復健康 - I invite him to dinner.
正式的晚餐派對
想要進一步理解介系詞,可以閱讀『By的12種用法詳解與常見片語』、『at, in, on 用法分別』跟『探索「of」的多面性:名詞間的連結與形容詞、動詞的精妙搭配』
想要多瞭解英文造字原則、單字分辨或背單字的方法,讀者可以進入我們『單字與片語』頁面,做進一步的了解。如果你有其他文法上的疑惑,可以到我們『英文文法』專頁,看看有沒有文章探討相關文法問題。如果你對自然發音與如何協助兒童學英文、字詞、句子結構與寫作等英文學習上各個領域的文章有興趣,可以到我們的『兒童英文』或『文章』頁面。