be+in引导的介词短语
be in progress(正在进展):The building of the bridge is in progress.
这座桥梁正在施工中。(相当于:The bridge is being built now.)
be in trade(正在做买卖):Some people of this country are in gold and ivory trade.
这个国家的有些人正在做黄金和象牙买卖。
be in fashion(流行): Long hair is very much in fashion now.如今,留长发正时兴。
be in trouble(处于困境/困难之中):I am in great trouble.My little boy has fallen off a ladder and hurt himself.我遇上点麻烦,我的小儿子从梯子上掉下来,并且摔伤了。
常见的这类结构还有:be in danger处在危险中;be in operation正在运行; be in action在活动(运转/战斗)中;be in peril在危险之中;be in class正在上课;be in hospital正在住院;be in office在执政;be in tears正在流泪;be in milk正在产奶;be in issue正在争论之中;be in church正在做礼拜;等等。
Ⅲ.be+on引导的介词短语
be on strike(正在罢工):The electricity workers have been on strike for several weeks now.电力工人到目前已经罢工好几个星期了。(即现在仍在罢工)
be on leave(正在休假):Several soldiers are on leave in our village.几位军人正在我们村子里休假。
be on the rise(正在上涨):Prices of vegetables are on the rise.蔬菜价格正在上涨。
常见的这类结构还有:be on a visit正在访问;be on the stumps处在困难之中;be on sale正在出售(美语作:削价出售),等等。
Ⅳ.be +under引导的介词短语
be under consideration(正在考虑之中):The plan is under consideration by the Ministry of Education.教育部正在考虑这项计划。
be +under construction(正在修建中):The new railway is still under construction.新铁路仍在修筑之中。
be +under discussion(正在讨论之中):That issue has no relation to the matter under discussion.那个问题和正在讨论的事没有关系。
常见的这类结构还有:be under treatment正在治疗中;be under repair正在修理中,等等。
值得英语学习者注意的是
⑴尽管be+介词短语能表示“正在进行”这一意义,但它和be+现在分词所表示的语法意义是有差别的。前者着重事物所处的状态,偏重于静态;后者着重事物的动态,集中表示事物的动感。
⑵绝大部分这类结构,其名词前都没有冠词,假如加一冠词,意义将大相径庭。如:The Conservative Party is in office.保守党在执政。The principal is now in the office.校长现在在办公室。英语学习者对上述差别决不可掉以轻心。