A:不對! 這牽涉到不定詞放在名詞之後當後置修飾語的問題。當不定詞放在名詞之後作形容詞用時,若該不定詞為不及物動詞,則它的後面需有適當或必要的介系詞。就問題的句子而言,由於 companion 是 travel 的受詞,而 travel 是不及物動詞,當不及物動詞要接受詞時,其後須有介系詞,所以這句若改為 He wanted to find a companion to travel with. (他想找個旅行的同伴) 或改為意思稍微不同的 He wanted to travel with a companion. (他想要和同伴去旅行) 就對了。
由於有不少人在寫英文時往往會漏掉這麼一個重要的介系詞,因此有必要再多舉幾個例子來做說明:
- He has a big house to live. (他有一棟大房子可住) (誤)
- He has a big house to live in. (正)
= He has a big house which/that he can live in.
= He has a big house in which he can live.
(由於 live 是不及物動詞,所以要接受詞 house 時,其後須有介系詞 in — to live a big house 是錯的,必須寫成 to live in a big house)
- I need a friend to talk. (我需要找個朋友來談一談) (誤)
- I need a friend to talk with. (正)
(由於 talk 是不及物動詞,所以要接受詞 friend 時,其後須有介系詞 with — to talk a friend 是錯的,必須寫成 to talk with a friend)
同樣地,下面例句的不定詞也需要介系詞,否則就錯了:
- They have no children to take care of. (他們沒有小孩要照顧)
- She wanted to have a chair to sit on. (她想要有張椅子來坐下)
當不定詞的動詞為及物時,它們就不需要介系詞了。例如:
- I have a lot of homework to do. (我有許多家庭作業要做) (do 是及物動詞,直接接受詞,無需介系詞 — to do a lot of homework)
- Give me something to eat. (給我食物)
- Would you like something to drink? (你想要喝東西嗎?)
- I need a book to read. (我需要找本書來讀一讀)
- Do you have anything more to say? (你還有其他事情要說嗎?)
當不定詞的動詞可為及物或不及物時,必須根據句意來判斷是否需要介系詞或需要什麼介系詞。請看下面的例句:
- I have nothing to write. (這句的 write 是及物動詞,直接接 nothing 當受詞,所以這裡的 nothing 是表示「沒有要書寫的內容」)
- I have nothing to write with. May I use your pen? (這句的 write 是不及物動詞,是說我有東西要寫,但沒有筆可寫 — with 後面接書寫工具,也就是筆,所以這裡的 nothing 是表示「沒有筆」)
- I have nothing to write on. Please give me a piece of paper. (這句的 write 也是不及物動詞,是說我有東西要寫,但沒有紙讓我寫在上面,所以這裡的 nothing 是表示「沒有紙」)
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