3.以反身代词作动词宾语的句子,一般不能改为以反身代词作主语的被动语态句子,但有些接反身代词作宾语的动词,其－ed分词作表语非常普遍。显然,动词强调的是动作,－ed分词强调的是状态。例:
A. engage oneself in/be engaged in； employ oneself in/be em-ployed in； occupy oneself in/be occupied in 忙于,从事
Langevin engaged himself in the study of conductivity of gases. /Langevin was engaged in the study of conductivity of gases.朗之万从事气体导电性的研究。
B. seat oneself/be seated 坐
We seated ourselves on the ground./We were seated on the ground.我们席地而坐。
C. accustomed oneself to/be accustomed to 习惯于
I accustomed myself to getting up early./I am accustomed to get-ting up early. 我习惯于早起。
D. give oneself over to /be given over to 沉溺于
He gave himself over to drinking./He was given over to drinking.他沉溺于酒。
当然,并非所有以反身代词作宾语的动词都有这样的用法。我们说:He prided himself on his ability to reason.(他自夸有推理能力),而不说:He was prided on his ability to reason.
4. 有些动词后面的反身代词常常略去。例:
The lights were dimmed slowly and the audience prepared(themselves) for the film.灯光渐渐暗下来,观众准备看电影。
Every morning he shaves (himself) with this electric razor . 每天早晨他都用这把电剃刀刮胡子。
如果这类动词后面的反身代词起强调作用,就不宜略去。试比较:
I dressed (myself) in a hurry.我匆匆忙忙穿好衣服。
He can't dress himself yet because he's too young.他年纪还小,不能自己穿衣服。(本节内容曾发表在《英语学习》1989年第5期)
5. 代词宾格和反身代词作宾语的比较:
如果句子的主语与介词的宾语同指一个人而且句子又没有直接宾语,可用反身代词作介词宾语。例:
The girl looked at herself in the mirror. 那姑娘对着镜子照自己。
I behaved badly yesterday and I am ashamed of myself now. 我昨天表现不好,我现在感到很惭愧。
如果句子含有直接宾语,通常用代词宾格作介词宾语。例:
Shut the door behind you. 走后关门。
Remember to bring the book with you next time. 下次记得带书来。
而在另一些场合,用宾格或反身代词意义截然不同。试比较:
The mother had her son beside her. 她让儿子在她身旁。
She was beside herself with joy. 她欣喜若狂。
My father and I had only a few dollars between us. 父亲和我一共只有几块钱。
This matter is strictly between ourselves. 这事只限于咱俩之间,不要外传。
