英語中表示“本想”的6種時態

1. 用come / go 等動詞的過去進行時表示。如：

We were coming to see you, but it rained (so we didn’t). 我們本打算來看你的，只是下起雨來了。

I was trying to help but I screwed up again. 我本想幫忙，反而又把事情搞糟了。

2. 用was [were] going to do sth 表示。如：

She was going to attend the concert last night, but she was too busy. 她昨晚本想去聽音樂會的，但她太忙了。

3. 用think, hope, plan, mean, expect, intend, suppose 等動詞的過去完成時表示。如：

I had meant to come, but something happened. 我本想來，但有事就沒有來。

I had intended to speak, but time did not permit. 我本想發言，但時間不允許。

We had hoped that you would come to see us, but you didn't. 我們本想你來看我們的，但你沒有來。

We had thought to return early but they wouldn't let us go. 我們本想早回來的，但他們不讓我們走。

若不至于引導誤解，有時也可用以上動詞的一般過去時表示“本想”。如：

I thought I could go, but I can’t. 我原以為我能去，但我（現在）去不了。

I meant to reason with you, but you won't reason. 我本想和你講道理，但你不肯講道理。。

He hoped to come with us, but he was too busy. 他本想同我們一起來的，但他太忙了。

4. 用hope, plan, mean, expect, intend, suppose 的過去式后接完成式不定式表示

I expected to have come early, but I missed the early bus. 我本來想早點來的，但未趕上早班車。

I meant to have told you about it earlier, but I could not come. 我本想早點把這事告訴你，但是我來不及了。

比較同義表達：

We had intended to go to London.=We intended to have gone to London. 我們本來打算到倫敦去的。

5. 用would have done 表示。如：

I would have written before, but I have been ill. 我本想給你寫信的，但我生病了。

I would have preferred a bed, but beggars can’t be choosers so I slept on the sofa. 我本想要張床, 但是叫花子不能挑肥揀瘦, 所以我就睡在沙發上了。

6. 用should [would] like [love] have done 表示。如：

I should like to have seen it (but it wasn't possible). 我本想事前看到的(但這不可能)。

I would like to have gone to the party last night but I had to work extra hours to finish a report. 昨晚我本想去參加晚會的，但我要加班寫一個報告。

I'd love to have taken him round the factory, but I was too busy. 我本想帶他去廠里看看，但我太忙了。