第94课 Future champions 语法精讲
课文标题: Future champions（未来的冠军） 分析日期: 2026年3月29日 适用对象: 大学英语四级备考学生
课文原文
Experiments have proved that children can be instructed in swimming at a very early age. At a special swimming pool in Los Angeles, children become expert at holding their breath under water even before they can walk. Babies of two months old do not appear to be reluctant to enter the water. It is not long before they are so accustomed to swimming that they can pick up weights from the floor of the pool. A game that is very popular with these young swimmers is the underwater tricycle race. Tricycles are lined up on the floor of the pool seven feet under water. The children compete against each other to reach the other end of the pool. Many pedal their tricycles, but most of them prefer to push or drag them. Some children can cover the whole length of the pool without coming up for breath even once. Whether they will ever become future Olympic champions, only time will tell. Meanwhile, they should encourage those among us who cannot swim five yards before they are gasping for air.
一、词法分析 (Morphology)
1.1 核心词汇词类标注
| 词汇 | 词性 | 中文释义 | 词法特点 |
|---|---|---|---|
| experiment | n. (C) | 实验 | 可数名词，复数形式 +s |
| prove | v. | 证明 | 不规则动词 proved/proven |
| instruct | v. | 指导，教授 | 及物动词，常用于被动语态 |
| expert | adj./n. | 熟练的；专家 | 可作形容词或名词 |
| breath | n. (U/C) | 呼吸 | 不可数名词，复数 breaths |
| reluctant | adj. | 不情愿的 | 多音节形容词，副词 reluctantly |
| accustomed | adj. | 习惯的 | 过去分词作形容词，搭配 to |
| weight | n. (C) | 重物 | 可数名词，注意与 wait 区分 |
| pedal | v./n. | 蹬（车）；脚蹬 | 可作动词或名词 |
| drag | v. | 拖，拉 | 不规则动词 dragged |
| meanwhile | adv. | 与此同时 | 连接副词 |
| gasp | v. | 喘气 | 常与 for 搭配 |
1.2 派生词与词形变化
prove (v.) → proof (n.) → proven (adj. 过去分词作形容词)
instruct (v.) → instruction (n.) → instructor (n. 指导者)
reluctant (adj.) → reluctance (n.) → reluctantly (adv.)
accustom (v.) → accustomed (adj.) → custom (n.)
compete (v.) → competition (n.) → competitor (n.) → competitive (adj.)
courage (n.) → encourage (v.) → encouragement (n.)
1.3 重要搭配短语
| 短语 | 结构分析 | 用法说明 |
|---|---|---|
| be instructed in | 被动语态 + 介词 | 在某方面接受指导 |
| become expert at | 系动词 + 形容词 + 介词 | 在…方面变得熟练 |
| hold one’s breath | 动词 + 物主代词 + 名词 | 屏住呼吸 |
| be reluctant to | 形容词 + 不定式 | 不情愿做某事 |
| be accustomed to | 形容词 + 介词 (to为介词) | 习惯于… |
| pick up | 动词短语 | 拾起，学会 |
| line up | 动词短语 | 排列，排队 |
| compete against | 动词 + 介词 | 与…竞争 |
| gasp for | 动词 + 介词 | 渴求，喘气 |
二、句法分析 (Syntax)
2.1 全文句型统计
| 句型类型 | 数量 | 占比 | 例句编号 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 简单句 | 4 | 36.4% | S2, S4后半, S7, S8 |
| 复合句（含宾语从句） | 2 | 18.2% | S1, S4 |
| 复合句（含状语从句） | 3 | 27.3% | S2, S9, S11 |
| 复合句（含定语从句） | 2 | 18.2% | S5, S11 |
| 总计 | 11 | 100% | — |
2.2 逐句成分分析
S1: Experiments have proved that children can be instructed in swimming at a very early age.
[Experiments] ← 主语 (Subject) - 名词复数
[have proved] ← 谓语 (Predicate) - 现在完成时
[that children can be instructed in swimming at a very early age]
↑ 宾语从句 (Object Clause) ← 整体作宾语
[children] ← 从句主语
[can be instructed] ← 从句谓语（情态动词+被动语态）
[in swimming] ← 介词短语（方面状语）
[at a very early age] ← 时间状语
句型: 主语 + 谓语 + 宾语从句 核心语法: 现在完成时 + 宾语从句 + 情态动词的被动语态
S2: At a special swimming pool in Los Angeles, children become expert at holding their breath under water even before they can walk.
[At a special swimming pool in Los Angeles] ← 地点状语（前置）
[children] ← 主语
[become] ← 系动词
[expert] ← 表语（形容词）
[at holding their breath under water] ← 方面状语
[even before they can walk] ← 时间状语从句
时间状语从句内部:
[even before] [they] [can walk]
连词 主语 谓语
句型: 地点状语 + 主语 + 系动词 + 表语 + 状语从句 核心语法: 时间状语从句 (before 引导)、动名词作介词宾语
S3: Babies of two months old do not appear to be reluctant to enter the water.
[Babies of two months old] ← 主语（带有of短语作后置定语）
[do not appear] ← 谓语（否定式）
[to be reluctant to enter the water] ← 不定式短语（表语/主语补足语）
结构说明:
appear to be= 系动词性结构to be reluctant to do= 双重不定式结构
句型: 主语 + 系动词（appear to be）+ 表语 + 不定式 核心语法: 半系动词 appear 的用法、双重不定式
S4: It is not long before they are so accustomed to swimming that they can pick up weights from the floor of the pool.
[It] ← 形式主语
[is not long] ← 系表结构
[before they are so accustomed to swimming that they can pick up weights from the floor of the pool]
↑ 时间状语从句（真正主语内容）
[before]引导时间状语从句
[that]引导结果状语从句（与so搭配）
从句结构分解:
before从句内部:
[they] [are] [so accustomed to swimming] [that they can pick up weights from the floor of the pool]
主语 系动词 表语（so...that结构） 结果状语从句
句型: It is + 时间 + before…（没过多久就…） 核心语法: 形式主语 It、so…that 结果状语从句、时间状语从句嵌套
S5: A game that is very popular with these young swimmers is the underwater tricycle race.
[A game that is very popular with these young swimmers] ← 主语（含定语从句）
[that is very popular with these young swimmers] ← 定语从句（修饰game）
[is] ← 系动词
[the underwater tricycle race] ← 表语（名词短语）
定语从句内部:
[that] [is] [very popular] [with these young swimmers]
关系代词 系动词 表语 对象状语
句型: 主语（含定语从句）+ 系动词 + 表语 核心语法: 限制性定语从句（that引导）
S6: Tricycles are lined up on the floor of the pool seven feet under water.
[Tricycles] ← 主语
[are lined up] ← 谓语（一般现在时被动语态）
[on the floor of the pool] ← 地点状语
[seven feet under water] ← 程度/位置状语
句型: 主语 + 被动语态谓语 + 地点状语 核心语法: 一般现在时被动语态
S7: The children compete against each other to reach the other end of the pool.
[The children] ← 主语
[compete] ← 谓语（不及物动词）
[against each other] ← 介词短语（对象状语）
[to reach the other end of the pool] ← 不定式（目的状语）
句型: 主语 + 不及物动词 + 状语 + 目的状语 核心语法: 不定式作目的状语
S8: Many pedal their tricycles, but most of them prefer to push or drag them.
[Many] [pedal] [their tricycles] ← 第一分句（省略主语的名词性用法）
主语 谓语 宾语
[but] ← 并列连词（转折）
[most of them] [prefer] [to push or drag them] ← 第二分句
主语 谓语 不定式短语（宾语）
句型: 并列句（but连接） 核心语法: 不定式作宾语、prefer to do 结构
S9: Some children can cover the whole length of the pool without coming up for breath even once.
[Some children] ← 主语
[can cover] ← 谓语（情态动词+动词）
[the whole length of the pool] ← 宾语
[without coming up for breath even once] ← 伴随/方式状语
句型: 主语 + 谓语 + 宾语 + 状语 核心语法: without + 动名词（否定伴随）、情态动词 can
S10: Whether they will ever become future Olympic champions, only time will tell.
[Whether they will ever become future Olympic champions] ← 主语从句（Whether引导）
[Whether] [they] [will ever become] [future Olympic champions]
连词 主语 谓语（将来时） 表语
[only time] [will tell] ← 主句
主语 谓语
句型: 主语从句 + 主句（倒装/特殊语序） 核心语法: Whether引导主语从句、陈述语序
S11: Meanwhile, they should encourage those among us who cannot swim five yards before they are gasping for air.
[Meanwhile] ← 连接副词（状语）
[they] ← 主语
[should encourage] ← 谓语（情态动词+动词）
[those among us] ← 宾语
[who cannot swim five yards before they are gasping for air] ← 定语从句
定语从句内部:
[who] [cannot swim] [five yards] [before they are gasping for air]
关系代词 谓语 宾语 时间状语从句
句型: 主语 + 谓语 + 宾语（含定语从句） 核心语法: 情态动词 should、定语从句（who引导）、嵌套时间状语从句
2.3 从句类型汇总表
| 从句类型 | 出现次数 | 引导词/标记 | 所在句子 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 宾语从句 | 1 | that | S1 |
| 时间状语从句 | 3 | before | S2, S4, S11 |
| 结果状语从句 | 1 | so…that | S4 |
| 定语从句 | 2 | that, who | S5, S11 |
| 主语从句 | 1 | Whether | S10 |
三、功能语法分析 (Functional Grammar)
3.1 时态系统分析
| 时态 | 出现次数 | 例句 | 功能说明 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 现在完成时 | 1 | have proved (S1) | 表示过去动作对现在的影响 |
| 一般现在时 | 4 | become, do not appear, is, are lined up | 表示习惯性动作、客观事实 |
| 一般将来时 | 1 | will become (S10) | 表示将来预测 |
| 情态动词+动词原形 | 5 | can be instructed, can walk, can pick up, can cover, cannot swim | 表示能力、可能性 |
时态特点总结:
- 课文以一般现在时为主，描述普遍事实和习惯性行为
- 使用现在完成时引出主题（实验证明）
- 结尾使用一般将来时展望未来可能性
3.2 语态分析 (Voice)
| 语态类型 | 出现次数 | 例句 | 功能说明 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 主动语态 | 8 | have proved, become, do not appear, compete, pedal, prefer, can cover, will tell, should encourage | 占主体，表示施事者明确的动作 |
| 被动语态 | 2 | can be instructed, are lined up | 表示受事者视角、客观描述 |
被动语态详细分析:
1) can be instructed (S1)
结构: 情态动词 + be + 过去分词
功能: 表达能力范畴内的被动可能性
译文: 能够被指导
转换为主动: People can instruct children in swimming...
2) are lined up (S6)
结构: be + 过去分词（一般现在时被动）
功能: 客观描述事物状态
译文: 被排列
转换为主动: People line up tricycles...
语态使用特点:
- 被动语态用于强调动作的承受者而非执行者
- 符合科技/说明文的客观性要求
- 避免主观判断，突出事实陈述
3.3 语气分析 (Mood)
| 语气类型 | 例句 | 功能 |
|---|---|---|
| 陈述语气 | 全文主体 | 陈述客观事实 |
| 推测语气 | whether…will tell (S10) | 表示不确定性 |
| 建议语气 | should encourage (S11) | 提出建议 |
3.4 情态动词分析
| 情态动词 | 例句 | 语义功能 | 四级考点 |
|---|---|---|---|
| can | can be instructed | 能力（被动语境） | ★★★★★ |
| can | can walk | 能力 | ★★★★ |
| can | can pick up | 能力 | ★★★★ |
| can | can cover | 能力 | ★★★★ |
| will | will become | 将来预测 | ★★★★★ |
| cannot | cannot swim | 能力否定 | ★★★★ |
| should | should encourage | 建议/义务 | ★★★★★ |
情态动词考点提示:
can be + 过去分词是四级常考结构，表示”能够被…”should表示建议时，语气比must弱，比could强
四、本课语法重点总结
4.1 核心语法点一览
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 第94课语法核心图谱 │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ ┌──────────────┐ │
│ │ 被动语态 │ ────── can be instructed │
│ │ (Passive) │ ────── are lined up │
│ └──────────────┘ │
│ │ │
│ ┌──────────────┐ │
│ │ 主语从句 │ ────── Whether...champions │
│ └──────────────┘ │
│ │ │
│ ┌──────────────┐ │
│ │ 形式主语 It │ ────── It is not long before... │
│ └──────────────┘ │
│ │ │
│ ┌──────────────┐ │
│ │ 时间状语从句 │ ────── before they can walk │
│ │ (before) │ ────── before they are gasping... │
│ └──────────────┘ │
│ │ │
│ ┌──────────────┐ │
│ │ so...that结构│ ────── so accustomed that... │
│ └──────────────┘ │
│ │ │
│ ┌──────────────┐ │
│ │ 定语从句 │ ────── that is very popular... │
│ │ (that/who) │ ────── who cannot swim... │
│ └──────────────┘ │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
4.2 重点难点句型详解
难点1: It is not long before… 结构
结构: It is not long before + 从句
含义: 没过多久就…；不久之后就…
公式转换:
It is not long before + S + V
= S + V + soon/shortly
课文例句:
原句: It is not long before they are so accustomed to swimming...
译文: 他们很快就对游泳如此熟悉...
易混淆结构对比:
| 结构 | 含义 | 例句 |
|---|---|---|
| It is + 时间 + before… | 过了多久才… | It was three years before we met again. |
| It is not long before… | 没过多久就… | It is not long before he realizes… |
| It will be + 时间 + before… | 还要多久才… | It will be a week before he comes back. |
四级真题例句:
It was not long before the news spread throughout the country.
(没过多久消息就传遍了全国)
难点2: Whether引导主语从句
结构: Whether + 主语从句, 主句
特点:
- 从句使用陈述语序（主语在前，谓语在后）
- Whether 可置于句首或句末（句末时常用 if）
- 主句谓语常表示”不确定/未知”
课文例句分析:
Whether they will ever become future Olympic champions, only time will tell.
结构分解:
- Whether they will ever become future Olympic champions = 主语从句
- only time will tell = 主句
正常语序: Only time will tell whether they will ever become...
注意事项:
- Whether 引导主语从句时，不能用 If 替换
- 从句谓语用陈述语气（will become，而非 will they become）
难点3: 双重被动结构
结构: 情态动词 + be + 过去分词 + 介词
课文例句:
can be instructed in swimming
↓ ↓ ↓
情态动词 被动标记 介词短语（领域）
类似结构:
- be interested in（对…感兴趣）
- be involved in（参与…）
- be engaged in（从事…）
难点4: so…that 结果状语从句
结构: so + 形容词/副词 + that + 结果从句
课文例句:
they are so accustomed to swimming that they can pick up weights...
↓ ↓ ↓
so 形容词 that从句（结果）
so…that vs such…that:
| 结构 | 用法 | 例句 |
|---|---|---|
| so + adj./adv. + that | 修饰形容词或副词 | so easy that… |
| so + adj. + a/an + n. + that | 修饰名词短语 | so interesting a book that… |
| such + a/an + adj. + n. + that | 修饰名词 | such an interesting book that… |
| such + adj. + 复数/不可数n. + that | 修饰复数/不可数名词 | such good books that… |
4.3 四级考试关联
考点1: 被动语态 (每年必考)
考频: ★★★★★
典型考法:
- 情态动词的被动语态: can/could/may/might/must/should + be done
- 时态+被动语态的综合考查
真题示例:
The children ______ (teach) how to swim at a very early age.
答案: are taught / can be taught
考点2: 名词性从句 (高频考点)
考频: ★★★★★
重点: Whether 与 If 的区别
| 用法 | Whether | If |
|---|---|---|
| 引导主语从句（句首） | ✓ | ✗ |
| 引导宾语从句 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 引导表语从句 | ✓ | ✗ |
| 引导同位语从句 | ✓ | ✗ |
| 与 or not 连用 | ✓ | ✗ |
考点3: 时间状语从句 before 用法
考频: ★★★★
核心句型:
- It is/was + 时间 + before… 过多久才…
- It is/was not long + before… 不久就…
- It will be + 时间 + before… 还要多久才…
考点4: 结果状语从句
考频: ★★★★
考点: so…that / such…that 的选择
五、综合练习
5.1 句型转换练习
-
改为被动语态:
People can instruct children in swimming at a very early age.
→ ________________________________________________ -
改为正常语序:
Whether they will succeed, nobody knows.
→ ________________________________________________ -
用 It is not long before 改写:
They soon became accustomed to the new environment.
→ ________________________________________________
点击查看答案
- Children can be instructed in swimming at a very early age.
- Nobody knows whether they will succeed.
- It is not long before they became accustomed to the new environment.
5.2 语法填空
- It was three years ______ we met again.
- ______ they will come on time is still unknown.
- The children are ______ accustomed to swimming ______ they can stay underwater for minutes.
- Tricycles ______ ______ ______ (line up) on the floor of the pool.
点击查看答案
- before
- Whether
- so…that
- are lined up
六、语法知识拓展
6.1 被动语态完整形式表
| 时态 | 结构 | 例句 |
|---|---|---|
| 一般现在时被动 | am/is/are + done | Tricycles are lined up. |
| 一般过去时被动 | was/were + done | The game was cancelled. |
| 一般将来时被动 | will be + done | The race will be held tomorrow. |
| 现在完成时被动 | have/has been + done | Experiments have been done. |
| 过去完成时被动 | had been + done | The pool had been cleaned. |
| 情态动词被动 | 情态动词 + be + done | Children can be instructed. |
6.2 形式主语 It 常见结构
| 结构 | 含义 | 例句 |
|---|---|---|
| It is + adj. + to do | 做某事是…的 | It is important to learn grammar. |
| It is + n. + that从句 | …的是 | It is a fact that… |
| It is + time + before… | 过多久才… | It is not long before… |
| It is said/reported that… | 据说/据报道 | It is said that he is ill. |
| It takes + time + to do | 花费时间做某事 | It takes time to master English. |
七、学习检测清单
- 能够识别被动语态的各种形式
- 能够区分 Whether 和 If 的用法
- 能够使用 It is not long before… 句型
- 能够分析 so…that 结果状语从句
- 能够识别并分析定语从句
- 能够进行主动语态和被动语态的转换
附录：课文语法标注版
Experiments [have proved]（现在完成时）[that children can be instructed]（宾语从句+情态动词被动语态）
in swimming at a very early age.
At a special swimming pool in Los Angeles, children become expert at holding their breath
under water [even before they can walk]（时间状语从句）.
Babies of two months old [do not appear to be reluctant]（系动词结构）to enter the water.
[It is not long before]（形式主语句型）they are [so accustomed to swimming that]（so...that结果状语从句）
they can pick up weights from the floor of the pool.
A game [that is very popular with these young swimmers]（定语从句）is the underwater tricycle race.
Tricycles [are lined up]（一般现在时被动语态）on the floor of the pool seven feet under water.
The children compete against each other [to reach]（不定式目的状语）the other end of the pool.
Many pedal their tricycles, but most of them prefer to push or drag them.
Some children can cover the whole length of the pool [without coming up]（without+动名词）for breath even once.
[Whether they will ever become future Olympic champions]（主语从句）, only time will tell.
Meanwhile, they should encourage those among us [who cannot swim five yards before they are gasping for air]（定语从句+时间状语从句）.
本语法精讲适用于大学英语四级备考，建议结合课文反复研读，重点掌握被动语态、名词性从句和状语从句的用法。
本课涉及的语法术语
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