在句子中起名詞作用的從句,稱為名詞性從句。根據其在句中所起的作用,從句分別稱為主語從句、賓語從句、表語從句和同謂語從句。名詞性從句是高中英語學習的重點和難點,也是歷屆英語高考的主要考點之一。
一、名詞性從句的引導詞
1.that在名詞性從句中不作成分,沒有意義,只起到連接的作用;在引導賓語從句中可以省略(如果是并列的兩個或兩個以上的賓語從句只能省略前者),that在引導主語、表語或同位語從句時不能省略。
(1)Chuck learns (that) we need friends to share happiness and sorry,and that it is important to have someone to care about.
(2)Having checked the doors were closed,and _______ all the lights were off,the boy opened the door to his bedroom.(B)(2007湖南,28)
A.why B.that C.when D.where
2.what在從句中作主語、賓語或表語。
(1)_______ matters most in learning English is enough practice.(A)(2007全國II,17)
A.What B.Why C.Where D.Which
(2)Choosing the right dictionary depends on _______ you want to use it for.(A)(2007江蘇,25)
A.what B.why C.how D.where
3.其他引導詞根據從句所缺成分的含義確定引導詞。
(1)_______ the 2008 Olympic Games will be held in Beijing is known.(C)
A.Whenever B.If C.Whether D.Which
(2)We haven’t settled the question of _______ it is necessary for him to study abroad.(C)(2006江蘇,35)
A.if B.where C.whether D.that
句意:我們還沒有解決這一問題——他是否有必要去國外學習。根據句意排除B,D。介詞of后面用賓語從句時只能用whether,不用if。
通常,引導主語從句、表語從句、同位語從句和介詞后面的賓語從句要用連詞whether,不用if。
二、名詞性從句的語序問題
(1)Why not try your luck downtown,Bob?That’s _______ the best jobs are.(A)(2007浙江,5)
A.where B.what C.when D.why
(2)We cannot figure out _______ quit a number of insects,birds,and animals are dying out.(C)(2004北京,31)
A.that B.as C.why D.when
通過以上句子可以看出,名詞性從句必須陳述語序。
再如:You can’t imagine _______ when they received these nice Christmas presents.(B)
A.how they were excited B.how excited they were
C.how excited were they D.they were how excited
答案為B,同時還須注意,從句的引導詞必須始終置于句首。
三、關于主語從句和賓語從句的形式主語和形式賓語
(1)_______ is a fact that English is being accepted as an international language.(D)
A.There B.This C.That D.It
當主語從句較長,謂語較短時,常將從句后置,用it作為形式主語置于句首。形式賓語也用it,think,find,consider,believe,feel等動詞后常可以帶it作形式賓語。
例如,Many people think it possible that a trade war between EU and the States will happen.
四、who/whoever,what/whatever等的用法區別
(1)_______ makes this shop different is that it offers more personal services.(A)(2006遼寧,30)
A.What B.Who C.Whatever D.Whoever
(2)Could I speak to _______ is in charge of International Sales,please.(C)(2007山東,22)
A.anyone B.someone
C.whoever D.no matter who
學生在名詞性從句的學習過程中,可以從以上幾點來掌握這種句式知識。