there be的非谓语形式有两种:there being(分词或动名词)和there to be(不定式)。它们可以在句中作主语、宾语、状语和定语。
(1)只能接there to be 结构作宾语的及物动词:expect, like, mean, intend, want, prefer, hate等。如:We don’t want there to be any comrades lagging behind.(我们不希望有任何同志掉队。)They hate there to be long queues everywhere.(他们不愿意处处都要排长队。)there being也可以作动词或介词的宾语,如:She relies on there being another opportunity.(她指望还有一次机会。)
(2) 作状语多用there being结构,但若置于介词for之后,应使用for + there to be结构。如:There being nobody else at hand, I had to do it by myself.(由于附近没有人,我只得一个人干了。)(原因状语) It’s too early for there to be anybody up.(太早了,还不会有人起床。)(作程度状语)
(3) 作主语时两种结构都可以,但如果用for引导则要用there to be。如:There being a kindergarten on campus is a great convenience to female teachers.(幼儿园在校园内对女教师十分方便。)It is not uncommon for there to be problems of communication between old and young.(老人与年轻人之间存在着沟通问题是很常见的。)
(4) 作定语。there be 结构作定语时,定语从句中谓语为there be, there之前的关系代词常常省略。如:This is the fastest train (that) there is to Nanjing.(这是到南京最快的一班车。)I must make full use of the time there is left to me and do as much as I can for the people.(我要充分利用我剩下的岁月尽量为人民多做些事。)