英语中最常用的20个动词及其用法解析
本文旨在对英语中最常用、最核心的20个动词进行系统性的解释和总结,涵盖其基本含义、主要句法结构、常见搭配以及在不同语境下的具体用法。掌握这些高频动词是构建流利英语交流能力的基础。
1. Be (是,存在)
词性: 不及物动词、系动词、助动词
核心含义: 表示存在、身份、状态、位置。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 系动词 (Linking Verb): 连接主语和表语(名词、形容词、副词等),描述主语的性质、状态或身份。
- Structure: Subject + be + Subject Complement (Noun/Adj/Adv)
- Example: She is a doctor. (身份) He is happy. (状态) They are here. (位置)
- 助动词 (Auxiliary Verb):
- 用于构成进行时态 (Progressive Tenses):be + V-ing。
- Example: We are studying English now.
- 用于构成被动语态 (Passive Voice):be + Past Participle (V3)。
- Example: The book was written last year.
- 用于构成进行时态 (Progressive Tenses):be + V-ing。
- 表示存在 (Exist): 尤其在 "There be" 结构中。
- Example: There is a pen on the desk.
常见搭配: be going to (将来时态标记), be about to (即将做某事), be used to (习惯于)。
易混淆点: 必须注意其形式变化 (am, is, are, was, were, been, being)。
2. Have (有,拥有)
词性: 及物动词、助动词
核心含义: 表示拥有、涉及、经历。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 及物动词 (Transitive Verb): 表示拥有、持有。
- Structure: Subject + have + Object
- Example: I have two brothers. They have a large house.
- 助动词 (Auxiliary Verb): 用于构成完成时态 (Perfect Tenses):have/has/had + V3。
- Example: She has finished her homework. We have lived here for five years.
- 表示经历或承担:
- Example: We had a meeting this morning. (经历)
- 使役用法 (Causative): have something done (使某事被完成)。
- Example: I had my car repaired.
常见搭配: have fun, have a good time, have breakfast/lunch/dinner, have to (必须,不得不 - 表达义务)。
3. Do (做,执行)
词性: 及物动词、助动词
核心含义: 表示行动、执行、替代或疑问/否定标记。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 及物动词 (Transitive Verb): 表示进行某项活动或任务。
- Structure: Subject + do + Object
- Example: What are you doing? I did my best.
- 助动词 (Auxiliary Verb):
- 用于构成一般现在时和一般过去时的疑问句和否定句(Be动词和情态动词除外)。
- Example (疑问): Do you speak French? Did he go?
- Example (否定): I don't know. She didn't call.
- 用于构成一般现在时和一般过去时的疑问句和否定句(Be动词和情态动词除外)。
- 强调 (Emphasis): 在肯定句中用于加强语气。
- Example: I do agree with you.
- 替代 (Substitution): 代替前面提到过的动词或动词短语,避免重复。
- Example: He sings better than I do.
常见搭配: do homework, do business, do damage, do without (没有……也行)。
4. Say (说,讲)
词性: 及物/不及物动词
核心含义: 表达言语内容,通常指所说的具体词句。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 不及物/及物用法: 后面可接引述内容(用引号)或间接引语(用that引导)。
- Structure: Subject + say (+ Object/that clause)
- Example: She said, "I'm tired." He said that he would come later.
- 表示表达观点或意见:
- Example: What does the report say about the economy?
- 表示“大概”或“据说” (口语中):
- Example: He said to be a millionaire. (据说)
常见搭配: say hello/goodbye, say sorry, say yes/no, say for example (例如说)。
与 Tell 的区别: Say 通常后接具体内容或引述,Tell 后面通常跟接受信息的人 (Tell someone something)。
5. Get (得到,变得,到达)
词性: 及物/不及物动词
核心含义: 这是一个意义极其广泛的动词,核心是“获得”、“变化状态”或“到达”。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 获得/收到 (Receive):
- Example: I got an email this morning.
- 到达 (Arrive): (常用于不及物用法)
- Example: What time did you get home?
- 变成/变得 (Become): (作系动词,后接形容词)
- Structure: Subject + get + Adjective (表示变化过程)
- Example: It's getting dark. He got angry quickly.
- 理解 (Understand): (口语中)
- Example: I don't get the joke.
- 使役用法 (Causative): get someone to do something (说服/安排某人做某事) 或 get something done (使某事被完成)。
- Example: I need to get my boss to approve the plan.
常见搭配: get up (起床), get along (相处), get over (克服), get used to (习惯于)。
6. Make (制造,使,做成)
词性: 及物动词
核心含义: 表示创造、构建、形成某种结果或状态。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 制造/生产 (Produce):
- Example: This factory makes cars.
- 使役用法 (Causative): 使某人/某事物处于某种状态或做某事。
- Structure 1: Subject + make + Object + Base Form (原形动词)
- Example: The noise made me nervous. (使我紧张)
- Structure 2: Subject + make + Object + Adjective
- Example: This coffee makes me alert.
- Structure 1: Subject + make + Object + Base Form (原形动词)
- 形成/构成 (Form):
- Example: Ten students make up the team.
- 决定/安排 (Decide/Arrange):
- Example: Let's make a decision now.
常见搭配: make money, make a mistake, make sense (有道理), make an effort (努力), make sure (确保)。
7. Go (去,走,进行)
词性: 不及物动词
核心含义: 表示移动方向、状态的改变或活动的开始。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 移动位置 (Move):
- Example: I have to go now. Where are you going?
- 进行 (Proceed):
- Example: The meeting will go ahead as planned.
- 状态变化 (Become/Reach a state): (常用于不及物结构或短语中)
- Example: The milk has gone bad. (变质了)
- 作为助动词: 用于表示未来计划(be going to,见Be动词)。
常见搭配: go shopping, go to bed, go on (继续), go over (复习), go without (没有……也行)。
与 Come 的区别: Go 表示离开说话者的位置或目的地;Come 表示朝向说话者的位置或目的地。
8. Know (知道,了解)
词性: 及物动词
核心含义: 表示拥有信息、信息被掌握、或熟悉某人/某事。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 了解事实或信息: 后接名词、that从句或疑问词引导的从句。
- Example: I know the answer. Do you know where the library is?
- 熟悉某人或地点:
- Example: I know him well. We know this city.
常见搭配: know about (了解关于……的事), get to know (开始了解)。
注意: Know 不用于进行时态,因为它描述的是一种持续的心理状态,而非一个动作。
9. Take (拿,带,花费时间/精力)
词性: 及物动词
核心含义: 核心是“获取”或“移动到某处”,引申义非常丰富。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 拿取/携带 (Carry/Seize):
- Example: Please take this package to the office.
- 花费时间或精力 (Consume Time/Effort):
- Structure: It takes + Time/Effort + to do something.
- Example: It took me three hours to finish the report.
- 乘坐交通工具:
- Example: I usually take the bus to work.
- 接受或承担:
- Example: She took the responsibility seriously.
- 吃药/医疗措施:
- Example: You should take this medicine twice a day.
常见搭配: take a break, take care of (照顾), take part in (参与), take a look (看一眼)。
10. See (看见,理解,拜访)
词性: 及物动词
核心含义: 感官上的视觉输入,或引申为理解、会面。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 视觉感知 (Perceive Visually):
- Example: I see a bird outside the window.
- 理解 (Understand):
- Example: Now I see what you mean.
- 拜访/会面 (Meet): (通常用于将来时或意图表达)
- Example: I will see the manager tomorrow.
- 体验/经历:
- Example: Have you ever seen such chaos?
常见搭配: see off (送别), see through (看穿), see to it (负责处理)。
注意: See 不用于进行时态,除非表示“约见”或“约会” (e.g., I am seeing a client this afternoon)。
11. Come (来,到达)
词性: 不及物动词
核心含义: 表示朝向说话者或事先约定的地点的移动。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 移动到说话者所在位置:
- Example: Please come here.
- 到达某个状态或事件:
- Example: When will the results come in?
- 被提出或被想起:
- Example: The idea just came to me.
常见搭配: come from (来自), come true (实现), come across (偶然发现), come up with (想出)。
与 Go 的区别: Come 强调趋近性;Go 强调远离性。
12. Think (思考,认为,相信)
词性: 及物/不及物动词
核心含义: 涉及心智活动,包括思考过程、意见表达和推测。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 思考/沉思 (Ponder/Consider): (多为不及物或后接介词)
- Example: I need a moment to think.
- 持有某种观点/相信 (Believe/Hold an opinion): (常接 that 从句)
- Structure: Subject + think + (that) + Opinion
- Example: I think it is a good plan.
- 认为某人/某事是 (Consider):
- Structure: think + Object + (to be) + Complement
- Example: I think him to be honest. (或 I think he is honest.)
- 询问意见:
- Example: What do you think about the new policy?
常见搭配: think of (考虑/评价), think about (思考关于某事)。
注意: 当表达“观点”时,Think 不用于进行时态。
13. Look (看,看起来)
词性: 不及物动词、系动词
核心含义: 集中注意力在视觉上,或表示外观状态。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 注视/将视线投向 (Direct one's gaze):
- Example: Look at the picture!
- 看起来 (Appear/Seem): (作系动词,后接形容词)
- Structure: Subject + look + Adjective (描述主语的外观)
- Example: You look tired today. The food looked delicious.
常见搭配: look for (寻找), look after (照顾), look up (查找/探望), look forward to (期待)。
14. Want (想要,希望)
词性: 及物动词
核心含义: 表示愿望或需求。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 表示愿望或需求: 后接名词或不定式 (to do)。
- Structure 1 (Noun): Subject + want + Object
- Structure 2 (Infinitive): Subject + want + Object + to do
- Example: I want a new car. I want you to help me.
常见搭配: want to be (想成为), want in/out (想进来/出去)。
注意: Want 通常不用于进行时态,因为它表示一种内在的、持续的状态或需求。
15. Give (给予,提供,授予)
词性: 及物/双宾动词
核心含义: 将某物从一方转移到另一方。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 给予某人某物 (双宾语结构):
- Structure 1: Subject + give + Indirect Object (人) + Direct Object (物)
- Example: He gave me a present.
- Structure 2 (介词结构): Subject + give + Direct Object + to + Indirect Object
- Example: He gave a present to me.
- Structure 1: Subject + give + Indirect Object (人) + Direct Object (物)
- 提供或提供机会:
- Example: You should give him a chance.
- 放弃 (在某些短语中):
- Example: I give up smoking.
常见搭配: give up (放弃), give back (归还), give away (赠送/泄露), give rise to (引起)。
16. Use (使用,利用)
词性: 及物动词
核心含义: 将某物作为工具或手段来达成目的。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 使用某物做某事:
- Structure: Subject + use + Object + (for/to V)
- Example: We use computers for communication. How do you use this software?
- 习惯性地做某事 (过去时态): use to do (表示过去常常做,但现在不做了)。
- Example: I used to live in London.
常见搭配: make use of (利用), be used to (习惯于,注意与 use to 的区别)。
17. Find (找到,发现,认为)
词性: 及物动词
核心含义: 表示成功地定位某物,或通过思考得出结论。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 成功定位或获得:
- Example: I finally found my keys.
- 发现事实或得出结论 (作系动词/引出判断):
- Structure: Subject + find + Object + Adjective
- Example: I found the movie interesting.
- Structure: Subject + find + that Clause (表示认为)
- Example: We found that the initial data was flawed.
- Structure: Subject + find + Object + Adjective
常见搭配: find out (查明), find a way (找到方法)。
18. Tell (告知,告诉)
词性: 及物/双宾动词
核心含义: 向某人传达信息、故事或指示。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 告知信息给某人: 后接间接宾语(人)和直接宾语(信息)。
- Structure 1: Subject + tell + Indirect Object + Direct Object
- Example: Tell me the truth.
- Structure 2: Subject + tell + Direct Object + to + Indirect Object (较少用)
- Structure 1: Subject + tell + Indirect Object + Direct Object
- 区分/辨别:
- Example: Can you tell the difference between them?
常见搭配: tell a story, tell someone off (责骂), tell a lie (说谎)。
与 Say 的区别: Tell 强调接收者 (Tell someone);Say 强调内容 (Say something)。
19. Ask (询问,要求)
词性: 及物/双宾动词
核心含义: 寻求信息或提出请求。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 询问信息: 后接疑问词引导的从句或是否 (if/whether)。
- Structure: Subject + ask + (Direct Object/Wh-clause)
- Example: I asked him the time. She asked if he was coming.
- 要求某人做某事:
- Structure: Subject + ask + Object + to do something
- Example: The teacher asked us to be quiet.
常见搭配: ask for (请求得到), ask around (四处打听)。
20. Work (工作,起作用,运作)
词性: 不及物动词
核心含义: 表示劳动、功能实现或有效性。
主要用法及句法结构:
- 进行劳动或职业活动:
- Example: He works in a bank. We worked late yesterday.
- 运作/发挥作用 (Function):
- Example: Does the new system work properly? This medicine works quickly.
- 解决/处理 (常与 out 连用):
- Example: We need to work out a solution.
常见搭配: work out (锻炼/解决), work on (致力于), work for (为……工作)。
总结与高频动词的意义
这20个动词(Be, Have, Do, Say, Get, Make, Go, Know, Take, See, Come, Think, Look, Want, Give, Use, Find, Tell, Ask, Work)构成了英语动词系统的核心骨架。它们不仅在词频上占据绝对主导地位,而且许多动词(如 Get, Take, Make, Do)通过与不同的介词或副词组合,形成了数量庞大的动词短语 (Phrasal Verbs),这极大地扩展了其功能和意义。
关键学习策略:
- 理解其核心语义: 掌握每个动词最基本的“位置”或“动作”。
- 熟悉句法角色: 区分它们何时作实义动词,何时作助动词(如 Be, Have, Do),以及何时充当系动词。
- 掌握固定搭配: 特别是 Make, Take, Get, Go, Look 的搭配,这些是地道英语的关键。
通过深入理解这20个动词的多重用法和结构,学习者能迅速提升对基础英语文本的理解速度和口语表达的准确性。