英语短语 "given to" 是一个常用的形容词性短语,核心含义是“习惯于;经常做;热衷于;倾向于”,用来描述人(或动物)的长期习惯、行为倾向或固有特质。
"given to" 本质是 “be + given(过去分词形容词化) + to(介词) + 宾语” 的结构,强调“天生/后天形成的某种倾向”,相当于:
be in the habit of(有……的习惯)
tend to(倾向于)
be prone to(易于……)
be apt to(常……)
"given to" 中的 "to"是介词,因此后面必须接名词、动名词(doing),不能接动词原形!
表示“经常做某事,已成习惯”:
He's given to telling long, boring stories.(他总爱讲冗长无聊的故事。)
I'm given to snacking between meals.(我习惯在两餐之间吃零食。)
My dad is given to reading the newspaper every morning.(我爸爸习惯每天早上看报纸。)
表示“倾向于某种品质或状态”:
She's given to generosity—she always helps others.(她慷慨大方,总爱帮助别人。)
He's given to anxiety when he has exams.(他考试时容易焦虑。)
The artist is given to creativity—her work is always original.(这位艺术家有创造力,作品总是很独特。)
常用来指“易犯的毛病或不良习惯”:
He's given to procrastinating—he never finishes work on time.(他总爱拖延,从不准时完成工作。)
She's given to mood swings—her emotions change suddenly.(她情绪波动大,情绪突然变化。)
The child is given to tantrums when he doesn't get his way.(这孩子得不到想要的东西就发脾气。)
否定:在"be"动词后加"not",表示“不习惯于/不倾向于”:
I'm not given to staying up late.(我不习惯熬夜。)
疑问:将"be"动词提前,询问对方的习惯:
Is she given to being late for meetings?(她习惯开会迟到吗?)注意区分两个结构:
be given to sb:被动语态,表示“被给予某人”(to是不定式符号?不,这里to是介词,后接人):
The gift was given to my mom.(这份礼物是给我妈妈的。)
be given to doing/sth:形容词短语,表示“习惯于……”(核心区别:后面接“行为/特质”而非“人”)。
"given to" 是一个描述“习惯/倾向”的实用短语,关键是记住:
结构:be + given to + 名词/动名词;
含义:习惯于/经常做/热衷于;
场景:日常习惯、性格特质、负面倾向均可使用。
通过以上例子和用法,相信你已经能熟练运用"given to"了!