一、一般将来时表示将要发生的动作或状况。
1) But the weather experts [A] are now paying more attention to West Antarctic1, which may be affected2 [B] by only a few degrees of warming: in other words, by a warming on the scale that would [C] possibly take place in the next fifty years from the burning [D] of fuels.(92年阅读理解题)
2) If traffic problems are not solved soon [A], driving [B] in [C] cities becomes [D] impossible.
二、在表示时间和条件的状语从句中,一般现在时代替一般将来时。这些时间副词有when, as soon as等,表示条件的连词有if, as long as等。
3 ) A desert area that has been [A] without water [B] for six years will still [C] bloom3 when rain will come [D] .
4) Come and see me whenever ___.(84年考题)
[A] you are convenient [B] you will be convenient
[C] it is convenient to you[D] it will be convenient to you
5) The task is extremely difficult. If no one ___able to do it, we will have to find somebody else.
[A] were
[B] was
[C] is
[D] would
注意:如果这些副词或连词引导的是名词从句作宾语而不是状语从句时,这些名词从句的谓语动词则用该用的时态:I don’t know when he will come.而且表示将来的助动词will还可以用以条件从句中,译为“愿意、肯”等。
三、一些表示方向及变化的瞬间动词可用进行时或现在时表示将要发生的动作。
We leave (are leaving) for California the day after tomorrow.我们(计划)后天动身去加利福尼亚州。
May I have your attention please. The plane for Wuhan is about to take off.请注意,飞往武汉的飞机就要起飞了。
四、另外,“be +to +动词原形”也可表示打算做的事,还可表示责任、意向和可能性。
You are to follow the doctor’s advice.你应遵从医嘱。
No shelter was to be seen.找不到避难处。
五、例题解析
1) C错,改为will。本题有表示将来的时间状语“in the next fifty years…”,所以谓语用一般将来时。
2) D错。由于从句中有表示时间的状语“soon”(不久,不远的将来),主句的谓语也是在这一时间发生,所以要用将来时,那么D改为will become。
3) D错。本句主语是A desert area…will still bloom,状语从句是由when引导,表示“雨季到来时”,从句的谓语应用一般现在时表示将来,所以将C处的will come改为comes。
4) 正确答案为C。本题除了时态上的问题(即不用一般将来时)之外还涉及到主语和它的表语的逻辑问题。根据上述语法特点,首先排除B和D;题中“convenient”是“方便的”之意。虽然汉语“在你方便的时候”,似乎“方便”的主语是“你”,但在英语中就不是那么回事儿,“convenient”的英文的解释是“(sth) suited to personal ease4 or comfort or to easy performance of some act or function”(某事或物对某人来说感到舒适或容易作),其主语应是“物”而不是“人”。本题应选C。所以学英语时,不仅要懂英语单词的汉语译文,更重要的是掌握英语单词的内涵与用法。建议身边备一个“英英”字典,如Longman Dictionary of Comtempory English。
5) C为正确答案。理由同上。