用作狀語的從句叫做狀語從句(adverbial clause)。引導狀語從句的關聯(lián)詞是某些從屬連詞。如:
(1)The sun was out again when I rode up to the farm. 當我騎馬到達農(nóng)場時,太陽又落山了。(關聯(lián)詞是從屬連詞when)
(2)He distrusted me because I was new. 他不信任我,因為我是新來的。(關聯(lián)詞是從屬連詞because)
(3)I met him as I was coming home. 在回家的時候,我遇見了他。(關聯(lián)詞是從屬連詞as)
(4)He orders me about as if I were his wife. 他指我干這干那,好像我是他妻子似的。(關聯(lián)詞是從屬連詞as if)
狀語從句同狀語一樣,在句中的位置比較靈活,可置于句首、句末或句中。如:
(5)When it rains, I usually go to the office by bus. 逢下雨,我通常乘公共汽車上班。(從句置于句首)
(6)Stay where you are! 就地停著!(從句置于句末)
(7)I come here every month since I was a child to see my grandfather. 我從小就每月來看我的祖父。(從句置于句中)
狀語從句位于句首時,常用逗號分開。如從句較短同時與主句的關系又較密切時,亦可不用逗號。如:
(8)As the car was so small he sold it. 由于車子太小,所以他把車賣了。(從句與主句關系密切)
狀語從句位于句末時,其前一般不用逗號。如從句與其前的主句關系不甚密切,尤其是作為添補之詞時,其前則用逗號。如:
(9)She’s far too considerate, if I may say so. 恕我直言,她太體諒人了。(從句與主句的關系不甚密切)
(10)Ought I to take it, when I have only just come in? 我該喝酒嗎?我剛剛進來呀。(從句為添補之詞)
狀語從句根據(jù)其用途可分為時間狀語從句、地點狀語從句、原因狀語從句、結果狀語從句、程度狀語從句、目的狀語從句、條件狀語從句、讓步狀語從句、方式狀語從句九種。
1)時間狀語從句(adverbial clause of time)表時間,其關聯(lián)詞有as,after,before,once,since,till,until,when,whenever,while,as long as,as soon as,now(that)等。如:
(11)As the twilight was beginning to fade, we heard the sound of a carriage. 當曙光開始消退時,我們聽到了一架馬車的聲響。
(12)Soon after Margaret returned, the child vomited. 瑪格麗特回來不久,這孩子就嘔吐了。
(13)Sometimes it gets out before I can stop it. 有時我止不住,它就蹦了出來。
(14)Once you’ve finished, go to bed. 你干完了再去睡覺。
(15)Since I was a child I have lived in England. 我從小就住在英格蘭。
(16)Wait until you’re called. 等著叫你吧。
(17)When she alighted from the train there was a nearly full moon. 當她下火車時,月兒快圓了。
(18)While I was saying goodbye to the rest of the guests Isabel took Sophie aside. 我正在送其他客人時,伊莎貝爾把索菲拉到一邊。
(19)Now that you have come you may as well stay. 既然你已經(jīng)來了,就待下來吧。
(20)You can borrow it as long as you’re not careless with it. 你可借去用,只要你不亂用它就行。
(21)As soon as I went in, Katherine cried out with pleasure. 我一走進去,凱瑟琳就高興地叫起來。
as,when,while,雖都表時間,但是有區(qū)別的。as多用于口語,強調(diào)“同一時間”或“一先一后”。如:
(22)As I was going out, it began to rain. 當我出門時,開始下雨了。(as強調(diào)兩個動作緊接著發(fā)生。不強調(diào)開始下雨的特定時間,故須用as而不用when)
as有時還有“隨著”的含義。如:
(23)As spring warms the good earth, all flowers begin to bloom. 隨著春回大地,百花開始綻放。(句中的as也不可代之以when)
when則強調(diào)“特定時間”。如:
(24)When he was eating his breakfast, he heard the door bell ring. 當他正用早餐時,聽到門鈴響了。(as亦可表“特定時間”,在這個意義上二者可互換,故本句中的when可代之以as)
while也表同一時間,其所表的時間不是一點,而是一段。如將上句的when改為while,while從句即強調(diào)“他吃早餐”的過程。
一些表時間的副詞和短語亦可引導狀語從句。如:
(25)Directly he was out of sight of her he wanted to see her. 他一看不到她就想見她。(副詞directly引導時間狀語從句,directly=as soon as)
(26)I didn’t wait a moment, but came immediately you called. 我一刻也沒等待,你的電話一到我就來了。(副詞immediately引導時間狀語從句,immediately=as soon as)
(27)We’ll leave the minute you’re ready. 你準備好了我們就走。(短語the minute引導時間狀語從句)
(28)The day he returned home, his father was already dead. 他回家的那一天,他的父親已經(jīng)死了。(短語the day引導時間狀語從句)
(29)Next time you come, please bring your composition. 你下次來,請把你的作文帶來。(短語next time引導時間狀語從句)
(30)Every time I listen to your advice, I get into trouble. 每次我按你的意見辦事,總是出麻煩。(短語every time引導時間狀語從句)
時間狀語從句中有些成分有時可省略。如:
(31)While flying over the Channel, the pilot saw what he thought to be a meteorite. 當這位飛行員飛過英格利海峽時,他以為他看到的是一顆殞星。(while之后省去he was)
(32)Metals expand when heated and contract when cooled. 金屬熱脹冷縮。(兩個when之后都省去they are)
(33)Complete your work as soon as possible. 要把你的工作盡快完成。(as soon as后省去it is)
2)地點狀語從句(adverbial clause of place)表地點,其關聯(lián)詞有where,wherever,anywhere,everywhere等。如:
(34)Corn flourishes best where the ground is rich. 谷物在土地肥沃的地方生長得最好。
(35)You are able to go wherever you like. 你喜歡去哪兒就可以去哪兒。
(36)He would live with his grandmother anywhere she lived. 不管他祖母住在哪兒,他都愿和她住在一塊兒。
(37)Everywhere they appeared there were ovations. 不管他們出現(xiàn)在哪兒,都受到熱烈歡迎。
地點狀語從句中有些成分??墒÷浴H纾?/p>
(38)Put in articles where necessary in the following pass ages. 請在下列段落中的需要處填入冠詞。(地點狀語從句中省去了they are)
(39)Avoid structures of this kind wherever possible. 這種結構隨處都要避免。(地點狀語從句中省去了it is)
3)原因狀語從句(adverbial clause of cause)表原因或理由,其關聯(lián)詞有because,as,since等。如:
(40)Lanny was worried because he hadn’t had any letter from Kurt. 蘭尼很著急,因為他一直未收到庫爾特的信。
(41)We were up early the next morning, as we wanted to be in Oxford by the afternoon. 第二天早晨我們起得很早,因為我們要不遲于下午到達牛頓。
(42)Since we’ve no money, we can’t buy it. 由于我們沒有錢,我們不能買它。
because,as,since均表“因為”、“由于”。because語氣最強,用以回答why,可表已知或未知的事實。它可與強調(diào)詞only,just以及否定詞not連用。如:
(43)You shouldn’t get angry just because some people speak ill of you. 你不該僅僅因為有些人說了你的壞話就發(fā)怒。
because引導的從句通常置于主句之后,只有在強調(diào)時才置于主句之前。如:
(44)Because they make more money than I do, they think they’re so superior. 因為他們掙錢比我多,所以他們認為自己高人一等。
because引導的從句還可用于強調(diào)結構。如:
(45)It was because I wanted to see my uncle that I went to town yesterday. 我昨天是由于要去看我的叔叔而進城的。
as語氣較弱,較口語化,所表的原因比較明顯,或是已知的事實,故不需強調(diào)。as引導的從句之前不可用強調(diào)詞和否定詞not,亦不可用于強調(diào)結構。as引導的從句多置于主句之前。如:
(46)As all the seats were full he stood up. 由于所有的座位都滿了,他只好站著。
since的語氣亦較弱,常表對方已知的事實。它和as一樣,其前亦不可用強調(diào)詞和否定詞not。since往往相當于漢語中的“既然”。如:
(47)Since you are going, I will go too. 既然你要去,我也去吧。
[注]for與上述三個從屬連詞不同,它是一個等立連詞,因此它連結的是兩個并列的分句,如The days were short, for it was now December.(這些日子白晝很短,因為現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)是十二月了。)for比較文氣,常用于筆語。
有些表原因的短語亦可引導原因狀語從句。如:
(48)I eat potatoes for the simple reason that I like them. 我吃土豆僅僅是因為我喜歡土豆。(短語for the simple reason that引導原因狀語從句)
(49)Shut the window for fear(that) it may rain. 關上窗戶,恐怕要下雨。(短語for fear引導原因狀語從句)
(50)It is still in excellent condition considering that it was built 600 years ago. 它還保護完好,要知道它是600年前建的。(短語considering that引導原因狀語從句)
(51)Seeing that it is ten o’clock, we will not wait for Mary any long. 既然已經(jīng)十點鐘了,我們不再多等瑪麗。(短語seeing that引導原因狀語從句)
(52)In case I forget, please remind me about it. 萬一我忘掉了,請?zhí)嵝盐乙幌隆?短語in case引導原因狀語從句)
(53)I do remember, now (that) you mention it. 你這一提,我倒確是想起來了。(短語now that引導原因狀語從句)
(54)I came to see you on the ground that Mr. Anderson said that you were interested in our project. 我來看你是因為安德森先生說你對我們的計劃感興趣。(短語on the ground that引導原因狀語從句)
(55)Inasmuch (Insomuch) as the waves are high, I shall not go out in the boat. 由于浪大,我就不乘小船外出了。(短語inasmuch as引導原因狀語從句)
(56)This is not a good plant for you garden in that its seeds are poisonous. 這一種植物對你的花園不好,因為它的籽有毒。(短語in that引導原因狀語從句)
4)結果狀語從句(adverbial clause of result)表結果,其關聯(lián)詞有that,so (that),such that,with the result that等。結果狀語從句皆置于主句之后。如:
(57)Have you another sweetheart hidden somewhere that you leave me in the cold? 你是不是暗中又有情人因而冷落我呢?
(58)She sat behind me so that I could not see the expression on her face. 她坐在我身后,所以我看不見她臉上的表情。
(59)His anger was such that he lost control of himself. 他勃然大怒,以致不能自制。
(60)I was in the bath, with the result that I didn’t hear the telephone. 我在洗澡,所以沒聽見電話鈴聲。
5)程度狀語從句(adverbial clause of degree)表動作或狀態(tài)所達到的程度,其關聯(lián)詞有so (that),such that,as (so) far as,as (so) long as,to the degree (extent) that,in so far as等。如:
(61)Her heart beat so that he could hardly breathe. 她的心跳得幾乎喘不過氣來。
(62)His courage is such that he does not know the meaning of fear. 他膽子大,以致不知恐懼為何物。
(63)So far as the weather is concerned, I do not think it matters. 只就天氣而論,我認為沒有什么要緊。
(64)So long as you need me, I’ll stay. 你需要我待多久,我就待多久。(或譯作:只要你需要我,我就會待下去)
(65)At that time politicians were not known to the degree they are today. 那時政治家并不像現(xiàn)在這樣出名。
(66)A computer is intelligent only to the extent that it can store information. 計算機的智能只限于它能儲存信息。
(67)I’ll help you in so far as I can. 我會盡力幫助你的。
6)目的狀語從句(adverbial clause of purpose)表目的,其關聯(lián)詞有so,so that,in order that等。目的狀語從句常用情態(tài)動詞may(might),有時亦用shall(should)和will(would);現(xiàn)在這種從句亦可用can(could)。目的狀語從句多置于主句之后。如:
(68)I’ll ring him up at once so he shouldn’t wait for me. 我馬上給他掛電話,讓他別等我了。
(69)He drew a plan of the village so that she could find his house easily. 他畫一張這個村子的草圖,以便她會容易找到他的房子。
(70)I lent him £5 in order that he might go for a holiday. 我借給他5英鎊,讓他去度假。
so that和in order that引導的目的狀語從句被強調(diào)時,可置于句首。如:
(71)So that the coming generation can learn the martial arts, he has recently devoted much time to writing books on the subject. 為了下一代能夠?qū)W會這些武術,他近來花了許多時間著書立說。
(72)In order that the grass and flowers could bloom again, it was necessary that the rocks should be removed. 為了這些花草能再開花,這些石頭必須搬走。
lest和in case也可以引導目的狀語從句,但有否定意義,意謂“以免”或“以防”。 lest引導的從句常用助動詞should,would,might等虛擬式,現(xiàn)只用于書面語,在日常生活中常代這以for fear (that)。in case引導的從句則常不用虛擬式。如:
(73)Take your umbrella with you, lest it should rain. 帶上你的雨傘,以防下雨。(should rain是虛擬式)
(74)Take your umbrella in case it rains. 帶上你的雨傘,以防下雨。(in case從句常不用虛擬時態(tài))
(75)He took an umbrella with him for fear it might rain. 他帶了一把雨傘,以防下雨。(for fear之后省去that)
7)條件狀語從句(adverbial clause of condition)表條件,條件有真實條件和非真實條件兩種。前者表現(xiàn)實的或可能變?yōu)楝F(xiàn)實的條件,后者表非現(xiàn)實的或不可能或不大可能變?yōu)楝F(xiàn)實的條件。關于非真實條件,已在本書“虛擬語氣”一章講過。這里只討論真實條件。
真實條件狀語從句用直陳語氣,其關聯(lián)詞有if,unless,suppose,supposing (that),assuming (that),providing (that),provided (that),in the event (that),just so (that),given (that),in case (that),on condition (that),as (so) long as等。這種狀語從句可置于主句之前或之后。如:
(76)If the weather is fine tomorrow, we shall go to the country. 如果明天天晴,我們就到鄉(xiāng)下去。
(77)He won’t finish his work in time unless he works hard. 除非他努力干,否則他就不會按時把他的活干完。
(78)Suppose they did not believe him what would they do to him? 如果他們不信任他,他們會對他怎么樣。
(79)Supposing he can’t come, who will do the work? 如果他不能來,這事誰來干。
(80)Assuming that you are right, we’ll make a great deal of money from the project. 假定你是正確的,那我們將會從這項工程中賺得許多錢。
(81)Providing (that) there is no opposition, we shall hold the meeting here. 如果沒有人反對,我們就在這里開會。
(82)She will go provided her friends can go also. 如果她的朋友們也能去,她就去。
(83)In the event that our team wins, there will be a celebration. 如果我們隊勝了,那就要慶祝一番。