在英语学习中,动词 provide 的用法常常让人困惑:它后面到底应该接 doing 还是 to do?本文将为你详细解答。
一、provide 的基本用法
Provide 是一个及物动词,意为“提供”,其常见结构如下:
- provide + 名词/代词(直接宾语)
例:The hotel provides breakfast. - provide + 人 + with + 物
例:They provided us with food and shelter. - provide + 物 + for + 人
例:The government provides free education for children.
二、provide 后能否接动名词(doing)或不定式(to do)?
实际上,provide 通常不直接接 doing 或 to do 作宾语。也就是说,以下结构一般不成立:
- ❌ provide doing something
- ❌ provide to do something
但有一种特殊情况:当 provide 表示“规定”时(多用于法律或正式文件),可接 that 从句,从句中使用 should + 动词原形(should 可省略):
- The contract provides (that) the tenant pay rent on time.
(合同规定租户应按时支付租金。)
三、常见错误与正确表达
如果你想表达“提供做某事的机会/条件”,应使用其他结构,例如:
- ✅ provide an opportunity to do something
例:The program provides students an opportunity to study abroad. - ✅ provide someone with the means of doing something
例:The grant provides researchers with the means of conducting experiments.
四、总结
provide 本身不直接接 doing 或 to do。正确的用法是搭配名词、介词短语(with/for)或 that 从句。若需表达“提供做某事的条件”,应通过名词中介(如 opportunity, chance, means 等)引入不定式或动名词。