時間狀語從句
狀語從句是副詞性從句,在句子中作為狀語修飾主句的動詞、形容詞或副詞。由when, while, as, before, after, till, until, since, as soon as, hardly...when, no sooner...than, the moment和by the time等引導詞引導的狀語從句稱為時間狀語從句。
1. 由when,while,as引導的時間狀語從句
When I lived there, I used to go to the seaside on Sundays.
我住在那里的時候星期天總會到海邊去。
While we were watching TV she was reading a book.
當我們在看電視的時候她在看書。
As the sun rose the fog dispersed.
太陽升起時霧氣就散開來。
辨析:比較when,while和as引導的狀語從句
(1) when引導狀語從句時,主句和從句的動作可分先后發生,也可同時發生;從句的謂語動詞為延續性或非延續性動詞。例如:
When I got to the airport, the plane had already taken off.
當我到達機場的時候,飛機已經起飛了。
When I lived in the city, I used to get up early.
我住在城里的時候早上起得很早。
(2) while引導狀語從句時,主句和從句的動作同時發生,且從句的謂語動詞必須是延續性動詞。例如:
I like drinking tea while he likes drinking coffee.
我喜歡喝茶,而他喜歡喝咖啡。
While we were chatting she was looking at the clock on the wall.
我們在談話的時候她正盯著墻上的鐘。
注意:
when和while還可做并列連詞,意思分別是“就在這時”和“然而”。例如:
I was having a rest on the sofa when the telephone rang.
我正在沙發上休息,就在這時電話響了。
They were surprised that a child should work out the problem while they couldn’t.
他們驚訝于這個小孩能解決問題然而他們卻不能。
(3) as引導狀語從句表示“一邊……一邊……”,從句謂語動詞為延續性動詞,強調主從句動作同時或幾乎同時進行。例如:
Sometimes I watch TV as I am having breakfast.
有時候我一邊看電視一邊吃飯。
2. 由before和after引導的時間狀語從句
(1) before引導的從句謂語動詞不用否定形式,且當從句位于主句之后before譯成“就,才”。注意主從句的時間關系:當主句使用將來時,從句多用現在時;當從句使用過去時,主句多用過去完成時。
例如:
It will be nine hours before the plane arrives.
還有九個小時飛機才到達。
They had been married for half year before they had a baby.
他們結婚半年就有了小孩。
(2) after引導的時間狀語中,從句動作發生在主句動作之前。例如:
After we had finished our dinner, we watched TV for a while.
吃過晚餐之后,我們看了一會兒電視。
3. 由till和until引導的時間狀語從句中,till和until一般情況下可互換,但強調句中多用until。till不可位于句首,until則可以。例如:
My brother didn’t go to bed until (till) my father came home.
直到父親回家我弟弟才上床睡覺。
It was not until the meeting was over that he began to talk to me.
直到散會之后他才開始跟我說話。
4. 由since引導的時間狀語從句,當從句使用過去時,主句多用現在完成時。但在It is + 時間 + since句型中,主句多用一般現在時或現在完成時。
I have been in Shanghai since I graduated.
我畢業以后一直在上海。
It is/has been three weeks since my mom came to visit me.
我媽媽到這兒來看我已經有三個星期了。
5. as soon as, hardly...when, no sooner...than和the moment引導時間狀語從句時意為“一……就”。例如:
As soon as I arrive in Beijing, I’ll write to you.
我一到北京就給你寫信。
I had hardly got home when it began to rain.
我剛一到家,就下雨了。
The moment I heard the song, I felt cheerful.
我一聽到這首歌,就感到很愉快。
注意:
hardly...when和no sooner...than主句用過去完成時,從句用一般過去時。
6. 由by the time引導的狀語從句,一般情況下從句使用一般過去時,主句多用過去完成時;從句使用一般現在時,主句多用將來完成時。例如:
By the time I came back, my mom had made the dinner.
我回家時,我母親已經把晚飯做好了。
By the time you come tomorrow, I will have finished the work.
你明天來這兒的時候,我工作已經完成了。
省略句
省略句是英語的一種習慣用法。按照語法分析,句子應該具備的成分有時出于修辭上的需要,在句中省略,這樣的句子叫做省略句(elliptical sentences)。
1. 省略主語
(I) Beg your pardon.(我)請你再說一遍。
(It) Doesn’t matter. 沒關系。
(It) Sounds fine to me.(它)聽起來不錯。
2. 省略謂語
(Is there) Anything you want? 你需要什么東西嗎?
(Does) Anybody need help? 有人需要幫忙嗎?
(Are) You hungry? 你餓嗎?
3. 省略主語和謂語(或謂語的一部分)
(1) — How many books do you want? 你要幾本書?
— (I want) Three books, please. 三本,謝謝。
(2) (Come) This way, please. 請這邊走。
(3) (Are you) Looking for me? (你在)找我嗎?
4. 省略連詞
I believe (that) you will success. 我相信你會成功。
I’m sure (that) she’ll tell you. 我確信她會告訴你。
此外,尚有其他形式的省略,如if possible/necessary等,將在以后有關模塊進行歸納。