【问】 For there________ successful communication,there must be attentiveness and involvementin the discussion itself by all present. A. is B. to be C. will be D. being (攻读硕士学位研究生入学考试英语试题,96A) 标准答案为B(to be)。但我无论如何也弄不明白for there to be到底是个什么结构。 【答】 要想深入理解这个结构,首先必须知道,带to的动词不定式可以用作目的状语: To complete their task ahead of schedule,they are working day and night. 为了提前完成任务,他们在日夜奋战着。 其次,要知道可以用介词for来引入动词不定式的逻辑主语: Tom opened the window for the fresh air to come in. 汤姆打开窗户,(以便)让新鲜空气进来。 第三要知道there在许多方面具有主语的语法特征。这一点是理解上述结构的关键。例如: 1. Is there any more soup? (CGEL)(there取主语的位置) 还有汤吗? 2. I don't want there to be any misunderstanding. (UGE)(作to be的形式上的逻辑主语) 我不需要有任何误解。 3. The students expected there_______more reviewing classes before the final exams. A. is B. being C. have been D. to be 4. He was disappointed at there being so little to do. (UGE)(作being形式上的逻辑主语) 可做的事那么少,他感到很失望。 因此,亦可用介词for引入there,使之充当to be或being形式上的逻辑主语: 1. It is impossible for there to be any more. (Palmer) 不可能再有了。 2. For there to be life there must be air and water. (ALD) 要有生命,就必须有空气和水。 上面的试题的意思是: 为了成功地进行交流,所有参加者都必须认真倾听并参与讨论。