不同的名詞,對這兩種后置定語的選擇是有區別的,有的只能用to do,有的只可用of doing,有的兩種都可以.現分述如下:
⑴will, willingness, suggestion, conclusion, decision, permission, agreement, refusal, determination, proposal, resolution等,一般用不定式作后置定語.
如:
mary has the will to win the first prize.(不用of winning)
瑪麗有獲得一等獎的決心.
he has drawn a conclusion to go abroad with his family.(不用of winning)
他已作出了攜家去國外的決定.
⑵hope, risk, possibility, impossibility, probability, intention, prospect, responsiblility, aim等,一般只能用of doing作后置定語.
如:
in fact,tere is no hope of their winning the game.
事實上,他們沒有希望贏得這場比賽.(不能說for them to win)
he will run the risk of losing his life to save the child.
他將冒生命危險去救那個孩子.
⑶way, chance, need, necessity, right, freedom, power, opportunity,ability等,既可用不定式短語,又可用of doing短語作后置定語.
如:
their chance to go(of ging) abroad was lost.
他們失去了出國的機會.
he has the right to do (of doing) that.
他有權那樣做.