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定语从句用来充当句中定语的主谓结构;它主要用于修饰句子中的名词、代词。而定语从句的位置常常是紧跟在被修饰的名词、代词的后面。在被修饰的名词、代词与定语从句之间往往有一个关系词将其前后两部分联系成一个整体,或是构成一个名词短语;或是构成一个代词短语。但从结构上说,关系词与从句是一个整体。排除句子的其他各部分,这种带有定语从句的名词短语或是代词短语的构成可演示如下:
1)three signs that indicate a person is suffering from a panic attack rather than a heart attack
三种意味着一个人是患有惊恐症而不是心脏病的迹象在这个带有定语从句的名词短语中:
signs是:被修饰的名词;
that是:关系词;
that indicate a person is suffering from a panic attack rather than a heart attack是定语从句
2)those who drink a lot 那些大量饮酒的人在这个带有定语从句的代词短语中:
those是:被修饰的名词;
who是:关系词;
who drink a lot是:定语从句
通过面上的演示,我们可以归纳出定语从句在句子中的位置、结构如下:
被修饰的名词 / 代词 + 关系词 + 句子 (其中,"被修饰的名词/代词"在语法叫作"先行词".)
要点提示:
1)"先行词"与"关系词"的内在联系"先行词"与"关系词"之间实质上是互等、互换的关系。也就是说,关系词的作用就是将先行词所表达意义"代到"从句中来起作用。例如:
They often become easily frightened or feel uneasy in situations (先行词)where (关系词)people normally would not be afraid .
他们常在人们一般不会感到害怕的情况下却很容易感到恐惧或是感到不自在。
(本句中的关系词where = 先行词(in)situations 。如果把这个复合句拆成两个分句,那就是:
They often become easily frightened or feel uneasy in situations
people normally would not be afraid in situations 由此可以看出,"先行词"与"关系词"之间实质上是互等、互换的关系)。 又例如:
Rude people are those (先行词) whose (关系词)behavior shows little respect
for the rules(先行词) that(关系词) the majority follows .
不讲礼貌的人是指那些,他们的行为对大多数人所遵从的规则并不表示尊敬的人。
由此我们还可以看出,"先行词"往往是分别重复出现在两个分句中的名词或代词。这也就是我们做定语从句的条件之必需。否则,"关系词"就无法去替代"先行词"而构筑定语从句了。这个道理就如同我们在计算机上"做剪贴以前要先做复制"一样。)
2)"先行词"的意义决定"关系词"的选择"关系词"的选择往往是由"先行词"自身表达的意义,以及它在从句中的语法功能而决定的。这个意思就是说,假如"先行词"自身表达的意义是表示"人的意义"或是"物的意义",那么我们就相应地选择表示"人的意义"或是"物的意义"的"先行词"。"先行词" 在从句中的语法功能也是决定"关系词"选择的重要条件。比如说,同样都是表示"人的意义"的"先行词",如果它在从句中作主语,"关系词"就得用表示"人的意义"的主格形式,如果它在从句中作定语,"关系词"就得用表示"人的意义"的所有格形式。另外,有时"先行词"本身是表示事物的名词,而它在从句中却与介词构成了短语,在从句中充当状语,在这种情况下,我们就应该用"关系副词"而不能用"关系代词"了。例如:
Some people who are successful language learners often fail in other fields .
有些在语言学习上很有成就的人,在其他领域常常一无所成。
In our class , we have some students whose families are not in Wuhan.
我们班上有些家不在武汉市的同学。
There are many sounds which have a meaning and yet are not words .
有许多声音有意义但不是词。
Tell him to go to the classroom where we often have our English class .
如果把这个复合句拆成两个分句,那就是:
tell him to go to the classroom we often have our English class in the classroom )
告诉他去我们常上英语课的那间教室。
(一) 关系词
从前面的讨论中我们可以清楚地看出,关系词在定语从句的构成里是至关重要的。我们甚至可以说,掌握不好关系词就无法做成定语从句,也无法理解文中带有定语从句部分的意思。因此,我们首先讨论一下关系词的有关问题。
定语从句中的关系词只有两类:关系代词和关系副词;没有连词。也就是说,定语从句中的所有关系词不但都有具体的意义而且都在从句中担任一定的成分。
1)关系代词:who , whom , whose , which , that 等。
who用于代替"表示人的意义"的先行词,并且在从句中作主语;在现代英语里,也可取代whom在从句中作动词的宾语。例如:
I have no idea about the man who wrote the article .
我不认识写这篇文章的那个人。
The little boy who is singing there can recite quiet a number of Chinese poems .
whom 用于代替"表示人的意义"的先行词,并且在从句中作动词或介词的宾语。在现代英语里,如果whom在从句中作动词的宾语,它与who可以通用;但是如果whom在从句中作介词的宾语,那么就只能用whom而不能与who通用了。当然,如果在口语或非正式文体中,介词没有提前,也就没有这点要求了。例如:
Who is the girl whom ( who ) you talked to just now ?
刚才和你说话的那个女孩子是谁?
Yesterday, I happened to meet , in the shopping center , the professor who ( whom ) I got to know at a party .
昨天在购物中心,我碰巧遇见了那位我在一次聚会上认识的教授。
They are looking for the patient on whom doctors just performed an operation . 他们正在寻找那位医生刚刚给他做过手术的病人。
(句中的关系代词whom代替the patient ,在从句中作介词on的宾语,而且介词on提到关系代词的前面,所以who 和whom就绝不可以通用了,此处只能用whom 。)
Who is the girl to who (whom) you talked just now ? (错误)
(句中的关系代词whom(who)代替the girl ,在从句中作介词to的宾语,但是由于介词to已提到了关系代词的前面,who 和whom就绝不可以通用了,所以如果还继续使用who句子就错了。此处只能用whom 。)
whose 用于代替"表示人或物意义"的先行词,在从句中作定语,往往与它所修饰的名词一起构成一个名词短语在从句中担当成分。Whose常表达"某人的、某物的"之意。例如:
Do you know the name of that girl whose brother is your roommate ?
你知道她的哥哥与你同寝室的那位女孩的名字吗?
Water whose boiling point is at 100 degree Centigrade has no color, no flavor.
沸点在摄氏100度的水无色、无味。
which 用于代替"表示事物意义"的先行词,在从句中作主语、宾语。例如:
Views which are entirely new or foreign may also be hard to accept .
那些全新的或是来自国外的观点或许也很难被接受。
I've got a novel which you may like to read .
我弄到一本你或许想看的小说。
That was a fault which could not be forgiven . 那是不能饶恕的错误。
that 既用于代替"表示人的意义"的先行词,也用于代替"表示事物意义"的先行词;在从句中既可以作主语,也可以作谓语动词的宾语,但是不能作介词的宾语。在一定范围内,that = who / whom / which 。例如:
Views that (which ) are entirely new or foreign may also be hard to accept .
那些全新的或是来自国外的观点或许也很难被接受。
Salaried people that ( who) earn more than a few thousand dollars must pay a certain percentage of their salaries to the federal government .工薪在几千美元以上的人必须将工资中的一定百分比交付给联邦政府。
Who is the girl to that you talked just now ? (错误)
要点提示:
定语从句中作宾语的关系代词可以省略如果关系代词在定语从句中作宾语可以省略。例如:
This is the book ( which ) you were looking for yesterday .
这就是你昨天找的那本书。
I don't like the novel ( that ) you are reading .
我不喜欢你看的这本小说。
Who is the man ( whom ) you're talking about ?
你们谈论的那个人是谁?
定语从句中,关系代词的单复数取决于先行词的单复数。例如:
Those who are in their forties are required to have a physical examination this afternoon .
(先行词Those是复数,关系代词who也就看作是复数,所以从句的谓语动词就用了复数形式are了。)请那些年龄在四十几岁的人于今天下午去进行体检。
This is the magazine which was sent to me by post .
(先行词the magazine是单数,关系代词which也就看作是单数,所以从句的谓语动词就用了单数形式was sent) 这是通过邮局寄给我的杂志。
关系代词that 和which的区别
that 和which在一般情况都可以用于代替"表示事物意义"的先行词,在从句中作主语、宾语。但在下列情况下一般只用that而不用which :
-- 先行词本身是all , everything , something , nothing , anything等不定代词时,例如:
Anything that can burn is a source of heat energy .
任何能够燃烧的东西都是热能源。
There must be something that happened to you .你一定出了什么事。
They had nothing that could cure of his disease .他们没有一点能治愈他疾病的东西了。
-- 先行词已有序数词或形容词的最高级或the last, the only等作定语时,例如:
This is the most impressive TV theater that has never been put on show before . 这是以前从未上演过的最有感染力的电视剧。
That is the only way that leads to your success .那是通向你成功的唯一之路。
We have to consider the first thing that starts our work .
我们必须要考虑启动我们工作的第一件事。
然而,在下列情况下却只用which而不用that:
-- 当先行词表示事物意义,并且在从句中作介词的宾语,那么就只能用which 。当然,如果在口语或非正式文体中,介词没有提前,也就没有这点要求了。例如:
The world in which we live is made of matter .
我们生活于其中的世界是由物质组成的。
Ocean currents affect the climates of the lands near which they flow .
洋流影响其流经的附近地区的气候。
The world that we live in is made of matter.
(正确。因为关系代词虽然在从句中作介词的宾语,但是介词没有提前,所以没有这点要求。)
我们生活于其中的世界是由物质组成的。
The world in that we live is made of matter.
(错误。因为关系代词在从句中作介词的宾语,而且介词已经提前,所以必须遵从这点要求。)
-- 在非限定性定语从句(关于这一点随后就要讲解)中,当关系词表示事物意义时, 只能用which 。这是语法所规定的,没有任何解释。例如:
The sun heats the earth , which makes it possible for plants to grow .
太阳给予大地热,这就使植物的生长成为可能。
The most important form of energy is electrical energy , which is widely used in our daily life .最重要的能源形式是电能,它广泛地运用于我们的日常生活之中。
-- as可以作为关系代词引导限定性定语从句、非限定性定语从句。例如:限定性定语从句 (常用于such … as和the same … as 等句式中)
Such points as you've mentioned are really important in solving the problem .
你提到的这些方面在解决这个问题上的确很重要。
People such as you describe are rarely seen nowadays .
你描述的这种人现在很少见了。
This computer has the same functions as that one has .
这台计算机有着和那台计算机一样的功能。
非限定性定语从句 (as可以作为关系代词引导非限定性定语从句时,as是指全句:也就是说,将整个主句看成一件事或是一个事实;并对其进行补充、说明。这种非限定性定语从句既可以放在主句之前,也可以放在主句之后。)
As I know , she hasn't got married . 如我所知,她还未结婚。
They won the first place in the game, as could be expected.
可以预料,他们在比赛中得了第一。
Professor Li is extremely popular among students , as is known to all of us . 如我们大家所知,李教授极受学生们的欢迎。
2)关系副词:when , where , why 等。在定语从句,关系副词 = 介词 + which 。也就是说,每个关系副词里本身就已经含有了一个介词:when = 在什么时候,where = 在什么地方,why = 为什么原因,等。至于在英文中用哪个具体的介词,就得依具体情况而定了。
when 代替表示时间的名词,而这个名词在从句中又与介词构成了短语,在从句中充当状语,例如:
People will always remember the time when Hong Kong and Macao returned to our motherland .
人们会永远记住香港和澳门回归祖国的那一时刻。
He came at a time when we needed help . 他在我们需要人帮忙的时候来了。
We don't know the exact time when the English Evening will be held . 我们不知道英语晚会举行的确切时间。
where 代替表示地点的名词,而这个名词在从句中又与介词构成了短语,在从句中充当状语。例如:
The place where we're to have the Speech Contest has not been decided yet.我们举行演讲比赛的地点还未定下来。
He is living in a newly-built house where there used to be a pond . 他现在居住的新房是原先一个池塘的旧址。
That is a beautiful campus where I made a lot dreams .
那是一座我曾经在那儿有过许多梦想的美丽的校园。
why 代替表示原因的名词,而这个名词在从句中又与介词构成了短语,在从句中充当状语。例如:
He didn't tell her the reason why he was so happy .
他没有告诉她为什么他那么高兴的原因。
The reason why she was late is not so acceptable .
她迟到的原因不那么令人接受。
They explained the reason to us why they had misunderstood us before .
他们向我们解释为什么他们以前误解了我们的原因。
介词+关系代词
在这种结构中,关系代词若是表示人的意义,就只能用whom ;关系代词若是表示事物的意义,就只能用which 。而这种结构中较难解决的问题是介词的选择问题,因为这个问题的解决取决于多种因素:
A)动词与介词的搭配B)名词与介词的搭配C)形容词与介词的搭配,等等。总之,要依从句的具体需要而定。例如:
A)动词与介词的搭配
He has found a good job for which he is qualified .( qualify + 名词+ for "使…具有…资格" )他找到了一份他能胜任的工作。
The man to whom you talked just now will chair the meeting tomorrow . ( talk to + 名词 "与某人谈话" ) 你刚才与他谈话的那个人明天主持那个会议。
He is bargaining with the landlord over the monthly price at which the apartment rents .名词+ rent at + 表示价格的词 "某物以某价格出租" )
他在与房东就那套公寓出租的月租金进行磋商。
B)名词与介词的搭配
They are still living in the little house in which they've been lived for 15 years . ( in the house "在屋子里" )
他们现在还住在他们已住了15年的那个小房子里。
We've worked out a method by which our production can be raised on a large scale.( by a method通过某种方法)
我们已研制出了一个能大规模提高生产的方法。
She didn't realize the extent to which she had been distracted .( to extend "到某种程度" ) 她没有意识到她心烦意乱的程度。
C)形容词与介词的搭配
The secretary with whom the boss is not happy will be fired for her inefficiency . (happy with "对…表示满意")
老板对其不满意的那个秘书将由于她没有工作效率而被解雇。
I've found the job for which I've been eager for a long time.( eager for "渴望得到…" ) 我已找到了我渴望已久的那份工作。
He is a learned man with whom we are familiar .
(familiar with 熟悉…)他是一位我们熟悉的有学识的人。
2)定语从句的种类
在英文中,有两种定语从句:限定性定语从句与非限定性定语从句。这两种定语从句在其功能和形式方面都有明显的区别:
限定性定语从句
限定性定语从句与主句的关系很紧奏,对其先行词起限定、修饰的作用。如果将其去掉,会影响句子意思的完整性;有时甚至于引起费解、误解。例如:
Rainforests are being cleared for valuable timber and other resources to speed up the economic growth of the nationsin which they are located .
为了加速他们各自所在国家的经济发展,热带雨林作为有价值的原木和其他资源正为人们所砍伐。
Ocean currents affect the climates of the lands near which they flow.
洋流影响其流经的附近地区的气候。
They explained the reason to us why they had hated us before.
他们向我们解释为什么他们不喜欢我们的原因。
非限定性定语从句
非限定性定语从句在形式上就与主句很松散,它与主句之间有一个逗点","隔开;它对其先行词没有限定、修饰的作用,只起补充、说明的作用。有时也用它来对全句进行补充、说明。即使将其去掉,也不会影响句子意思。由于上述原因,非限定性定语从句在表达意思方面也有别于限定性定语从句。另外,非限定性定语从句在中文译文里,我们往往将其作为一个分句处理,而不把它作定语翻译。
例如:Earlier , the Babylonians had attempted to map the world , but they presented it in the form of a flattened disc rather than a sphere , which was the form adopted by Ptolemy .
(此句中,非限定性定语从句是对先行词a sphere进行补充、说明。)
更早之前,巴比伦人曾试图绘制世界地图,但是他们把它绘制成平盘状而不是托勒密所采用的球体状。
The combination of satellites, which transmit information , computers , which store information , and television , which displays information , will change every home into an education and entertainment center .
(此句中,三个非限定性定语从句分别对三个先行词:satellites ,computers和television进行补充、说明。如果去掉这三个非限定性定语从句,那么句子可简化为:
The combination of satellites , computers and television will change every home into an education and entertainment center .)卫星能传输信息,计算机能储存信息,电视能显示信息,把这些手段结合起来可以使每个家庭都成为教育娱乐的中心。
The sun heats the earth , which makes it possible for plants to grow .(此句中,非限定性定语从句是对全句进行补充、说明,将全句表达的意思看成"一件事情)。太阳给予大地热,这就使植物的生长成为可能。
The old man has a son , who is in the army .(此句中,非限定性定语从句是对先行词son进行补充、说明。但本句所传达的信息是:"这位老人只有一个儿子" 。如果将此句改写成限定性定语从句:
The old man has a son who is in the army . 那位老人有一个在部队工作的儿子。那么,限定性定语从句就要对先行词son进行限定、修饰。这样一来,句子所传达的信息就变成了:"这位老人有一个儿子在部队工作,还有其他的儿子在干别的工作"。)那位老人有一个儿子,他在部队工作。
状语从句用来充当句中状语的主谓结构称为状语从句;它主要用于修饰句子中的谓语动词,从各个方面来修饰、说明谓语动词发生时的各种情况。在英文里,状语从句的位置较活:可以放在主句之前再用逗点与主句隔开;也可以放在主句之后。
由于它是从各个方面来修饰、说明谓语动词发生时的各种情况,所以常见的状语从句有九种之多。各种不同的状语从句所使用的关系词也各不相同。讨论状语从句就只得分类进行:
1) 时间状语从句
常用的关连词有:when(当……时候), whenever(在任何时候), while(当……时候), as(正当……时), every / each time(每次), before(在……以前), after(在……以后), since(自……以来), till / until(直到……), as soon as(一……就), the moment(一……就), the minute(一……就), hardly … when(刚……就……), no sooner … than(刚……就……),等。例如:
I'll tell you about it when we meet .我们见面时,我会告诉你有关情况的。
As he was carrying out the experiment , he found something abnormal .正当他在做试验时,他发现情况有些不常。
Please eat it while it is hot .请趁热吃。
It has been more than two years since we parted last time .
自我们上次分手至今已有两年多了。
要点提示:
1)在含有时间状语从句或条件状语从句的主从复合句中,如果主句的谓语动词是一般将来时,那么从句的谓语动词就只能用一般现在时来表示将来时;如果主句的谓语动词是过去将来时,那么从句的谓语动词就只能用一般过去时来表示过去将来时。【关于这一点,在后面的条件状语从句中就不再重提了】例如:
Tom will tell him the truth when he comes back .
他回来时,汤姆会告诉他事实真相的。
He will not play football if it rains tomorrow .
明天要是下雨,他就不踢足球了。
Tom would tell him the truth when he came back .
他回来时,汤姆会告诉他事实真相的。
He would not play football if it rained the next day .
次日要是下雨,他就不踢足球了。
2)when, whenever, while和as这几个连词在表达意思方面比较接近,但是也有一定的区别:
whenever是when的强调形式;while和as的后面都可以用来表示"正值什么时候"或是"一边……一边……"的意思,因此后面都可以接"进行时" ;另外,如果将when改写在主句之前,可表示主句谓语动作发生的突然性。例如:
While she was watching TV , she was cracking seeds .
她一边看电视一边磕瓜子。
As he was doing his packing , some of his friends came to say good-bye to him .正当他在收拾行装的时候,他的一些朋友来向他告别。
They were ready to go out when the telephone rang .(这个句子表示主句谓语动作rang发生的突然性。按常规应该是:When they were ready to go out , the telephone rang .)就在他们准备出去的时候,电话铃响了。
3)注意till / until在表达方式和意义上的特殊性:until是till的强调形式,但是它们表达的意义是相同的,都表示"直到某时"。不过,当主句是否定句时,它引出的意思是"直到(某时)(某动作)才(发生)" ,这时候常会出现"not until …"的结构,如果将 "not until …"的结构放在句首,那么主句要写成倒装句。例如:
He didn't go to sleep until 12 last night .
他昨晚直到十二点钟才睡觉。
They didn't realize their fault till we pointed it out to them .
直到我们向他们指出了他们的错误,他们才意识到。
Not until we pointed out their fault to them did they realize it .
直到我们向他们指出了他们的错误,他们才意识到。
但是,当主句是肯定句时,它引出的意思是"直到(某时某动作停止了)" 。例如:
The students made much noise till the teacher came into the classroom .
直到老师走进教室学生们才停止了大声喧哗。
The young couple were very happy until they used up all their money .
那对年青夫妇直到花光了所有的钱才沮丧起来。
另外,until 可以放在句首而till则不行。我们可以说:Until they used up all their money, the young couple were very happy .我们却不可以说:Till they used up all their money, the young couple were very happy .
2) 地点状语从句
常用的关连词有:where(在……地方), wherever(无论在什么地方),等。例如:
The university graduates are determined to go wherever they are needed most .那些大学毕业生们决心去最需要他们的地方。
They are planting trees where there is plenty of water and sunlight .他们在阳光雨水充分的地方植树。
Where there is will , there is a way .有志者事竟成。
3) 条件状语从句
常用的关连词有:if(如果,假如), unless(除非,要不……就不), as long as(只要), so long as(只要), provided (that) (只要),suppose / supposing(假设),on condition (that)(如果),等。例如:
I may not come to see you recently unless I can complete the project ahead of time .除非我能提前完成那个项目,否则我最近不会来看你了。或者:除非我能提前完成那个项目,我最近才会来看你了。
We can surely attain our goal as long as we are united as one .
只要我们团结成一个人,我们肯定能实现我们的目标。
What shall we do if we can not get the necessary data?
如果我们弄不到必要的数据,我们怎么办?
They promised to let us have a meeting in their office on condition (that) we could keep it clean . 如果我们能保持清洁,他们答应让我们在他们的办公室里开会。
要点提示:
1.在表示条件的状语从句中,既可以用直陈语气做"真实条件句",也可以用虚拟语气做"非真实条件句"。至于把句子做成哪一种条件句,要依照"有关语法规则"和"表达意思的需要"而定。(例句省略)
2. 用unless 引导条件状语从句时,要注意这个连词自身在意义上是否定的:unless = if … not … 。因此,我们在逻辑上要注意:英文句子的用法和中文句子的译文。特别是当主句是否定句时,逻辑上的意思就成了"否定之否定而表示肯定"的情况了。例如:
I will not go to their party unless I am invited .
这个句子的实际意义等于:I will not go to their party if I am not invited .
这就是说,"我不去参加聚会"的条件是"我没有受到邀请"。"不去"与"没有受到邀请"就构成了"否定之否定而表示肯定"的情况了.)假如他们不邀请我,我不会去参加他们的聚会。
He will finish the work in time unless something unexpected happens .
这个句子的实际意义等于:
He will finish the work in time if something unexpected does not happen .
假如没有什么意外的事情发生,他会按时完成他的工作的。
3. suppose / supposing这两个词所表达的意义和句法功能是一样的。它们与其他的引导状语从句的从属连词一样,引导一个含状语从句的主从复合句。而它们的特别之处在于:有时由它们所引出的条件状语从句常与主句分开而独立成句,但其意义和作用还是条件状语从句。这种情况多数出现在科技文章及某些论文里。例如:
Suppose no more rain fell into the Atlantic Ocean and no more water was brought to it by rivers .It would take the ocean about 4 ,000 years to dry up .
假如不再有雨水注入大西洋,不再有河水流入大西洋的话;大约需要四千年的时间大西洋才会枯竭。
Suppose your statement is right . How are you going to prove it?
假定为你的观点是正确的,你打算如何证明这一点呢?
Suppose this poor girl is yours . We'd like to know how much you know about her .
假设这个可怜的女孩就是你的;我们想了解你知道多少关于她的情况。
4) 原因状语从句
常用的关连词有:because因为, as由于, for 由于, since既然,由于, now that 既然,由于, not that … but that 不是因为……而是因为……,等。例如:
He can't deliver his lectures today because he has got a bad cold .
他今天不能去讲课了,因为他患了重感冒。
I may not be able to attend your wedding party not because I'm not willing to but because I've been caught by something recently.
我或许无法参加你的婚礼了,不是我不想去而是近来有些事情缠着我无法脱身。
I won't dwelt too much time on this matter as it is known to everybody.
由于大家都知道这件事,我就不在这件事上多花时间了。
Since you are busy enough we won't trouble you any more .
既然你们忙得够呛,我们就不再麻烦你们了。
要点提示:
1)关于because , as 和 for 这三个词都是表示原因的连词,其中以because的语气为最强, 它表示导致某事情发生的"直接原因";而as和for则表示某些"间接的理由"。另外,as引导的原因状语从句可以放在句首,而for则不行。例如:
Because it is raining heavily, we have to change our plan to go outing.现在下着这么大的雨,我们不得不改变去郊游的计划。
As the weather was fine, we decided to climb up the mountain.
由于天气晴朗,我们决定去登山。
She is loved by all for she is kind and pretty .
由于她长得漂亮、人又好而深受大家喜欢。
2)关于since和now that
这两个词在表示原因的时候是近义词,都有表示"既然"的意思。但其不同之处在于:now that只能以"新发生的情况"作为某事发生的原因;而在表示"既然"意思的时候就没有这种限制。例如:
Now that the rain is going to stop, we'd better get ready for the afternoon's match .
(此句中,Now that引出的从句显然是表示"新出现的情况",在句子中作"主句动作发生的原因。也就是说,只有在这种情况下才可以用Now that引导从句,是表示"既然"的意思。)既然雨要停了,我们最好为下午的比赛作好准备。
Since you're so interested in English, why not have a try in the English Speech Contest ?
既然你对英语这么有兴趣,为什么不试一试参加英语演讲比赛?
5) 让步状语从句
常用的关连词有:though(虽然), although(虽然),as(尽管,虽然), even if (即使), even though(即使) , however(不管怎样), whatever(无论什么), whoever(无论谁), no matter when ( how , what , who , where , which ) [ 无论何时(怎样,什么,谁,何地,哪个)] , whether … or (不管……),等。例如:
Air exists everywhere although we can't see it.
尽管我们看不见空气,但它却无处不存在。
No matter where you go on the earth, you will feel the gravity.
无论你走到地球的什么地方,你都会感觉到地引力。
We'll start our meeting on time whether he comes or not.
无论他来不来,我们将准时开会。
Even if we are approaching the end of the experiment, we still have no time to lose.即使我们即将完成试验,我们依然要分秒必争。
要点提示:
1)在中文里,我们有"虽然……但是"的表达方式;英文里though, although都表示"虽然",but表示"但是";这种情况特别容易误导我们在英文句子里犯错误:因为though, although与but不能连用。在英文句子,though, although引导主从复合句,表示"虽然……但是"; but引导并列句也表示"虽然……但是"。例如:
Although he is old, he is still energetic .(主从复合句,正确)
尽管他上了年纪却还是依然精力充沛
He is old but (he is) still energetic . (并列句,正确)
尽管他上了年纪却还是依然精力充沛
Although he is old, but he is still energetic .(错误)
2)当as作"尽管,虽然"的意思讲引导让步状语从句时,从句往往放在主句的前面,而且用作让步的部分总是提前到句首。例如:
Old as he is, he is still energetic. 尽管他上了年纪却还是依然精力充沛。
(表语作为让步的内容,因此提前了。)
Try as he might, he couldn't solve the problem .
尽管他很努力但还是无法解决这个问题。 (谓语提前了.)
Much as you suspected him , you couldn't provide powerful evidence .虽然你非常怀疑他,但是你却无法提供有力的证据。
(状语作为让步的内容,因此提前了。)
6) 方式状语从句
常用的关连词有:as(如同,按照), as if(似乎,仿佛), as though(似乎,仿佛),等。例如:
He speaks English almost as a native speaker does .
他的英文几乎说得如讲英语母语的人一样。
He speaks English as if he were a native speaker .
他讲英文的样子似乎象说英语母语的人。
She looked unwell as though she got a bad cold .
她看上去身体不适好像患有重感冒。
In this reading-room you can read anything as everyone does here .
在这间阅览室里,你可以象这儿的每个人一样想看什么就看什么。
要点提示:
as if 或as though引导的方式状语从句中,如果表示真实情况应该用直陈语气;如果表示非真实情况则应该用虚拟语气。关于这一点也取决于说话人的态度、看法。例如:
It gets darker and darker in the sky as if it's going to rain .(表示真实情况,是直陈语气) 天越来越暗了似乎要下雨了。
She speaks as if she knew everything in the world . (表示非真实情况,是虚拟语气)她说话的样子仿佛似她懂得天下事。
7) 目的状语从句
常用的关连词有:so that (以便,为了), in order that(为了), lest(以免,以防), in case(以免,以防), for fear(以免,以防),等。例如:
We should do our utmost in order that we may be able to over fulfil the task . 为了超额完成任务,我们应该全力以赴。
You'd better leave your phone number, so that I can call you before I come next time .你最好将电话号码留给我,以便我下次来之前可以先给你打个电话。
Batteries must be kept in dry places for fear that electricity leak away .
电池应该放在干燥的地方,以免漏电。
要点提示:
在目的状语从句中,我们可以将这些引导目的状语从句的连词so that , in order that,lest , in case , for fear分作为两大部分:表示肯定意思--so that , in order that是"为了使……发生";以及表示否定意思--lest , in case , for fear是"为了使……不发生,(以免,以防)"。另外,在表示否定意思的目的状语从句中,谓语动词往往用"should + 动词原形"或"动词原形"两种虚拟句式。例如:
He took his umbrella with him lest it rain .
他带了雨伞,以防下雨。
I'll keep a seat for you in case you should change your mind .
我给你留个座,没准你会改变主意。
8) 结果状语从句
常用的关连词有:that(结果,以至),so that (结果,以至),so … that(如此……以至),such … that (如此……以至),等。例如:
The temperature is increased so that the volume of gas becomes greater .
温度升高了气体的体积就增大了。
The mountain is so high that she can't climb it up to the top .
那座山太高了,她无法登上山顶。
It is such a lovely day that everybody feels happy and gay .
天气这么好,人人都感到高兴、快乐。
He overworked too much that he fell ill in bed .
他太过分劳累以至生病而卧床。
要点提示:
so … that 和such … that都是引导结果状语从句的从属连词,它们都表示"如此……以至"的意思,但其要求的句型结构不一样:so + 形容词或副词+ that ;such + 名词+ that 。
例如:He ran so fast that his brother couldn't catch upwith him .
他跑得太快了,他弟弟赶不上他。
He is such a naughty boy that he becomes unwelcome in his neighborhood .
他是那么个调皮的孩子,以至在邻里中不受欢迎。
She looks so lovely that everybody can't help taking a look at her when passing her by .她生得太可爱了,从她身边经过的人都忍不住要看她一眼。
9) 比较状语从句
常用的关连词有:than(比……), as … as(如……一样……) , "the +比较级… , the +比较级…"(越……越……),等。例如:
Her mother is not as tall as she (is) .她妈妈没有她高.
He is taller than his brother .他比他弟弟个高一些。
The more they discover about the brain, the more questions they can't answer in that area .
他们越多地发现有关人脑的情况,他们就有越多的问题无法回答。
Computers are playing a more and more important role in our modern society .
计算机在当今社会里起着越来越大的作用。
要点提示:
有关比较状语的问题请看前面"形容词与副词的比较级和最高级"一章。这里只提醒一个关于比较状语从句的问题。那就是:than和as … as中的第二个as 都是连词,后面若是人称代词,应该用主格形式。例如:
Her mother is not as tall as she (is) .她妈妈没有她个高。(正确)
Her mother is not as tall as her.(错误)
I don't think that he is taller than I .我并不认为他比我个高。(正确)
I don't think that he is taller than me . (错误)
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