"be taken to task" 是一个被动语态短语,字面可拆解为“被带去(面对)任务”,实际引申为:
它强调“被他人针对具体行为/错误进行责备”,语气偏正式,常隐含“被要求解释或纠正错误”的意味。
"task" 原指“任务;工作”,而"take sb to task"(主动形式)的字面逻辑是“把某人拉来完成‘反思错误’的任务”——即要求对方为自己的行为负责,因此衍生出“批评、指责”的含义。被动形式"be taken to task" 则是“某人被(他人)拉来问责”。
被动语态的核心结构:
动作发出者(by sb):可选,若明确谁在批评,需加"by + 人";
原因(for sth/doing sth):必选,需说明“因什么事被批评”。
若要表达“某人批评/指责另一人”,用主动语态 take sb to task,结构为:
She was taken to task by her teacher for plagiarizing the essay.
(她因为论文抄袭被老师严厉批评。)
The company was taken to task by the media for its poor environmental record.
(该公司因环保记录不良被媒体追责。)
I was taken to task by my parents for staying out too late.
(我因为晚归被父母数落了一顿。)
The manager took the intern to task for forgetting to send the report.
(经理因实习生忘记发报告而批评了他。)
Don’t take him to task for that mistake—he’s still learning.
(别因为那个错误指责他——他还在学习。)
be criticized for(因…被批评)
be reprimanded for(因…被训斥)
be called out for(因…被指责,更口语)
be taken to task 比前三者更强调“针对性的问责”(要求对方回应错误),而不是泛泛的批评。
"be taken to task" 是正式/中性的责备表达,核心是“因具体错误被他人追究责任”。记住结构:被批评的人 + be taken to task + (by 谁) + for 什么事,就能轻松运用啦!