外观
第二十五章 状语从句简化
本章目标
这一章学习怎样简化状语从句。
状语从句用来说明时间、原因、条件、让步、目的或结果。简化时,不仅要处理主语和动词,还要认真判断连词是否保留。
你会学到:
- 怎样把状语从句简化为分词短语;
being和having been分别有什么作用;- 分词短语放在句首、句中和句尾时,意思怎样变化;
- 什么是悬垂修饰语;
- 怎样把状语从句简化为不定式或介词短语;
- 怎样在简洁和清楚之间取得平衡。
句型标记系统
| 符号 | 含义 | 说明 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 主语 Subject | 句子的主角,回答“谁 / 什么” |
| 2 | 动词 Verb | 表示动作或状态 |
| be | 系动词 / 广义 be 标记 | is / am / are / was / were 是 be 动词;has been / have been / had been / will have been / would have been 是 be 动词的完成形式;look / feel / seem / become / get 等系动词也按 be 标注 |
| 3O | 宾语 Object | 动作的接受者,回答“谁 / 什么” |
| 3C | 补语 Complement | 说明主语或宾语“是什么 / 怎么样 / 在哪里” |
| (4) | 状语 Adverbial | 可以删除的时间、地点、方式等修饰成分 |
| (be) | 隐藏的 be | 宾语和宾语补足语之间可以插入 be,用来检验说明关系 |
五种基本句型写成:
- 1 + 2
- 1 + 2 + 3O
- 1 + 2 + 3O + 3O
- 1 + be + 3C
- 1 + 2 + 3O + (be) + 3C
注意:状语 (4) 可以出现在五种句型中,但它不是句型骨架的一部分。
状语从句简化仍然遵循共同原则:
- 重复主语可以省略;
- 有
be动词时,常省略be; - 有情态助动词时,常简化为
to; - 只有普通动词时,常改为
V-ing。
状语从句有一个特别重要的问题:连词本身常有意义。
例如:
after表示“之后”;before表示“之前”;if表示“如果”;although表示“虽然”。
因此,连词能不能省略,要根据句意判断。简化不是越短越好。
简化为分词结构
状语从句简化为现在分词或过去分词短语,传统语法常叫作分词结构。
最重要的规则是:
省略状语从句主语以前,先确认它和主句主语相同。
现在分词结构 (V-ing)
While Amy stayed at her sister's home, she read every night.
艾米住在姨妈家时,每晚都读书。
从句主语 Amy 和主句主语 she 指同一个人。普通动词 stayed 改成 staying:
While staying at her sister's home, Amy read every night.
也可以省略 while:
Staying at her sister's home, Amy read every night.
保留 while 更清楚;省略后更简洁。
原因关系
Because Tim wanted to play again, he put in more money.
因为蒂姆还想再玩一次,所以又放入了一些硬币。
简化为:
Wanting to play again, Tim put in more money.
原因关系已经很容易理解,所以 because 通常省略。
命令句
When you see an old person on the bus, offer your seat.
在公交车上看到老人时,请让座。
命令句省略了主语 you。从句主语也是 you,所以可以简化:
When seeing an old person on the bus, offer your seat.
也可以写:
Seeing an old person on the bus, offer your seat.
保留 when 更清楚。
简洁与清楚
Although Amy is only a student, she helps her family every day.
艾米虽然只是一名学生,却每天帮助家人。
省略 Amy is 后,可以写:
Although only a student, Amy helps her family every day.
为了让结构更容易看清,也可以保留 being:
Although being only a student, Amy helps her family every day.
第一种更简洁,也更自然。第二种能帮助初学者看出 only a student 是补语。
连词变成介词
After Amy finished her homework, she read a book.
艾米完成作业以后,读了一本书。
简化为:
After finishing her homework, Amy read a book.
after 保留“之后”的意思。后面的 finishing her homework 是动名词短语,作介词 after 的宾语。
如果省略 after:
Finishing her homework, Amy read a book.
读者可能理解成两个动作同时发生,不够清楚。
也可以使用完成分词:
Having finished her homework, Amy read a book.
having finished 清楚表示先完成作业,再读书。
从句主语指整个主句
有时,状语从句主语不是指主句中的一个名词,而是指整个主句表达的事情。
Amy forgot her umbrella, so this caused a problem.
艾米忘记带雨伞,所以这件事造成了麻烦。
this 指“Amy 忘记带雨伞”整件事。可以简化为:
Amy forgot her umbrella, causing a problem.
句尾的 causing a problem 表示结果。
主语不同:独立结构
如果状语从句主语和主句主语不同,不能直接删除从句主语。
Because it was late, the students went home.
因为时间晚了,学生们回家了。
it 和 the students 不同。简化时保留 it:
It being late, the students went home.
这种保留自己主语的简化形式叫作独立结构。
过去分词结构
如果状语从句是 be + 过去分词,简化后常留下过去分词。
If the dog is hurt, it may be afraid.
如果狗受伤了,它可能会害怕。
省略重复主语和 be:
If hurt, the dog may be afraid.
if 保留条件意味。
再看:
Whether the door is closed or not, the room is warm.
无论门是否关闭,房间都很暖和。
简化为:
Whether closed or not, the door does not change how warm the room is.
whether 有“是否”的意思,可以保留。
after 后需要名词性质
After the room was cleaned, it looked better.
房间打扫以后,看起来更好了。
可以省略 after:
Cleaned, the room looked better.
如果保留 after,后面要使用动名词短语:
After being cleaned, the room looked better.
不要写成 after cleaned。
主语不同:保留主语
When the work was finished, Amy went home.
任务完成后,艾米回家了。
the work 和 Amy 不同。简化时保留从句主语:
The work finished, Amy went home.
这是过去分词形式的独立结构。
being 和 having been
being 的用法
being 有两个常见作用:
- 强调进行状态;
- 帮助短语取得需要的词类。
比较:
The door is closed now.
门现在关着。
The door is being closed now.
门现在正在被关上。
closed 可以表示已经关好的状态。加上 being 后,重点变成“正在进行”。
再看词类变化:
Because you are my best friend, you should tell me the truth.
因为你是我最好的朋友,你应该告诉我真相。
可以简化为:
Being my best friend, you should tell me the truth.
being 让读者容易看出 my best friend 是补语。
介词后面也常需要 being:
Without saying bad words, Tim told Amy that she was wrong.
蒂姆没有说难听的话,但告诉艾米她错了。
without 是介词,后面需要名词性质的成分。saying bad words 是动名词短语。
The students left before being told to go.
学生们还没有等到通知就离开了。
before 后面的 being told to go 保留了被动意味。
having been 的用法
having been 是 being 的完成形式,表示“已经处于某种状态”。
After Amy had been a student here for three years, she knew the school well.
艾米在这里读书三年以后,很熟悉学校。
简化为:
Having been a student here for three years, Amy knew the school well.
having been 帮助读者看清:a student 是补语,不是主语。
如果后面已经有过去分词,having been 有时可以省略:
Because the dog had been trained, it helped Tim.
因为狗受过训练,所以帮助了蒂姆。
可以写:
Having been trained, the dog helped Tim.
也可以写:
Trained, the dog helped Tim.
过去分词 trained 已经带有被动和完成意味。
但是,如果前面保留介词 after,就需要名词性质:
After having been cleaned three times, the room looked new.
after 是介词,having been cleaned three times 是动名词短语。不能只写 after cleaned three times。
分词结构的位置
分词短语放在不同位置,修饰对象可能不同。
句首
Entering the classroom, the teacher talked to the students.
老师走进教室时,向学生们问好。
句首分词短语通常修饰主句动作。走进教室的人是主句主语 the teacher。
句中
The teacher entering the classroom talked to the students.
走进教室的那位老师向学生们问好。
没有逗号时,entering the classroom 更像简化定语从句,修饰 the teacher。
The teacher, entering the classroom, talked to the students.
老师走进教室时,向学生们问好。
有逗号时,也可以理解为补充说明或状语。两种解释差别不大。
句尾
The teacher talked to the students entering the classroom.
老师向正在走进教室的学生们问好。
没有逗号时,entering the classroom 修饰最近的名词 the students。
The teacher talked to the students, entering the classroom.
老师走进教室时,向学生们问好。
有逗号时,句尾分词短语通常修饰主句动作。走进教室的人仍然是老师。
常见错误:悬垂修饰语
悬垂修饰语,就是简化从句找不到合理主语。
错误示例:
Trying to open the door, the key broke.
想打开门时,钥匙断了。
按照简化规则,trying to open the door 的主语应该和主句主语相同。主句主语却是 the key。这会变成“钥匙想打开门”,不合理。
改法一:还原完整从句。
While Tim was trying to open the door, the key broke.
改法二:让主句主语和简化从句主语一致。
Trying to open the door, Tim broke the key.
再看一个错误:
This book cannot help a student unless read carefully.
这句话容易让人误以为“学生被仔细阅读”。最好明确写:
This book cannot help a student who does not read it carefully.
或:
This book helps only when it is read carefully.
写分词结构时,一定要问:谁在做这个动作?谁处于这个状态?
简化为不定式短语 (to + V)
状语从句中有情态助动词时,常简化为不定式。
分词结构通常要求主语一致。不定式更灵活:只要执行者清楚,不一定和主句主语完全相同。
in order to
The student studies hard in order to finish the work today.
学生努力学习,以便今天完成任务。
可以还原为:
The student studies hard in order that the student can finish the work today.
in order to 表示目的。也常省略 in order:
The student studies hard to finish the work today.
so as to
Tim left home early so as to be at school on time.
蒂姆很早离家,以便按时到校。
so as to 也表示目的。
so ... as to
The water is so hot as to hurt your hand.
水热到会烫伤你的手。
可以还原为:
The water is so hot that it may hurt your hand.
such ... as to
Amy made such a good plan as to finish the work today.
艾米制定了很好的计划,因此今天完成了任务。
such 修饰名词短语 a good plan。后面的不定式说明结果。
only to
Tim took the test again, only to fail again.
蒂姆又参加了一次测试,结果还是没有通过。
only to 常表示出乎意料或令人失望的结果。
too ... to
The box is too big to lift.
这个箱子太重,搬不起来。
too ... to 带有否定意味:重到无法搬动。
enough to
The box is light enough to carry.
这个箱子够轻,可以搬动。
enough to 表示程度已经足够。
固定表达
有些不定式短语用于补充说话人的态度:
To tell you the truth, I forgot the book.
坦白说,我忘记带书了。
To be honest, I did not finish the work.
老实说,我没有完成任务。
To make a long story short, Tim went home.
长话短说,蒂姆回家了。
这些表达的主语通常是说话人。即使主句主语不同,读者也能理解。
简化为介词短语
状语从句还可以简化为介词短语。
补语为介词短语
While Tim is at school, he reads a lot.
蒂姆在学校时读很多书。
省略 Tim is:
While at school, Tim reads a lot.
再看:
If you are in doubt, check the word.
如果有疑问,请检查这个单词。
简化为:
If in doubt, check the word.
连词可作介词
一些词既可以作连词,也可以作介词,例如:
before;after;since;until;as。
作连词时,后面接完整从句;作介词时,后面接名词或动名词短语。
before
Tim read the question before he answered it.
蒂姆回答问题以前,先读了题目。
简化为:
Tim read the question before answering it.
after
After Amy was asked a question, she gave a clear answer.
艾米被问到一个问题以后,给出了清楚的回答。
简化为:
After being asked a question, Amy gave a clear answer.
since
Amy has been busy since she returned home.
艾米回家以后一直很忙。
简化为:
Amy has been busy since returning home.
until
Wait until the work is finished.
等到任务完成。
常见简化写法:
Wait until finished.
也可以写得更完整:
Wait until being finished.
实际使用中,前一种更自然。
as
As I am a student, I ask many questions.
作为一名学生,我会提出很多问题。
简化为:
As a student, I ask many questions.
这里的 as 作介词。
连词改写为介词
有时,还可以把连词换成意思接近的介词。
although
Although Amy was not asked to help, she opened the door.
虽然没有人请艾米帮忙,她还是打开了门。
改写为:
Without being asked to help, Amy opened the door.
without 是介词,后面接动名词短语 being asked to help。
because
Because Amy got ready carefully, she did well on the test.
因为艾米认真准备,所以测试表现很好。
改写为:
Because of getting ready carefully, Amy did well on the test.
从句压缩成动名词短语 getting ready carefully。
when
When Amy heard the bell, she left the classroom.
艾米听到铃声时,离开了教室。
改写为:
On hearing the bell, Amy left the classroom.
on 是介词,hearing the bell 是动名词短语。
if
If the river rises, the road may close.
如果河水上涨,道路可能关闭。
改写为:
In case of the river rising, the road may close.
这种写法较正式。日常表达中,完整的 if 从句通常更自然。
状语从句简化为其他成分
如果状语从句使用 be + 名词补语 或 be + 形容词补语,省略主语和 be 后,会留下名词或形容词。
简化为名词
Although Amy is a student, she helps her family every day.
艾米虽然是一名学生,却每天帮助家人。
简化为:
Although a student, Amy helps her family every day.
保留 although,让让步关系清楚。
简化为形容词
When Tim was young, he read many books.
蒂姆年轻时读过很多书。
简化为:
When young, Tim read many books.
再看:
I will do the work alone if that is necessary.
如果有必要,我会独自完成任务。
that 指整个主句表达的事情。简化为:
I will do the work alone if necessary.
简化从句练习
一、还原简化从句
把加粗部分还原为完整从句。
- The room being cleaned now is our classroom.
- The classroom, being cleaned now, is closed today.
- The classroom, having been cleaned twice, looks much better now.
- All other things being equal, this book is easier to read.
- Having finished their homework, the students went home.
二、简化从句
把加粗部分简化。
- Because the window was open, rain came through the window.
- You need to check the plan before you use it.
- Because the road was not safe, we stayed at home.
- When the book is read carefully, it becomes easier to understand, so that it helps the learner.
- When the teacher was away, the children started talking, so that they made a lot of noise.
简化从句练习解答
一、还原简化从句
being cleaned now是简化定语从句,修饰the room:
The room which is being cleaned now is our classroom.
being cleaned now有两种合理解释。
定语从句:
The classroom, which is being cleaned now, is closed today.
原因状语从句:
The classroom, because it is being cleaned now, is closed today.
having been cleaned twice也有两种合理解释。
定语从句:
The classroom, which has been cleaned twice, looks much better now.
原因状语从句:
The classroom, because it has been cleaned twice, looks much better now.
All other things being equal是独立结构。主语all other things被保留:
Although all other things are equal, this book is easier to read.
Having finished their homework表示先完成作业,再回家:
After the students had finished their homework, they went home.
二、简化从句
- 从句主语
the window和主句主语rain不同。要保留从句主语:
The window being open, rain came through the window.
也可以用更清楚的介词短语:
With the window open, rain came through the window.
- 两个从句主语都是
you:
You need to check the plan before using it.
- 从句主语
the road和主句主语we不同。保留从句主语:
The road not being safe, we stayed at home.
更自然的写法:
Because the road was not safe, we stayed at home.
- 前后都围绕
the book展开:
Read carefully, the book becomes easier to understand, helping the learner.
- 句首从句主语
the teacher和主句主语the children不同,要保留:
The teacher being away, the children started talking, making a lot of noise.
更清楚的写法:
With the teacher away, the children started talking, making a lot of noise.
附录:泛读学英文
泛读,就是大量、持续地阅读自己大致能看懂的英文内容。
它不是唯一的学习方法,但对中文母语学习者很有价值。泛读可以帮助你:
- 更快地理解英文;
- 在上下文中反复遇到常见词;
- 熟悉自然句型;
- 为听力和写作打基础。
泛读最好和语法分析、词汇学习、听力练习及开口表达配合使用。
英文学习方法概述
不同学习方法解决不同问题。没有一种方法适合所有人,也没有一种方法可以独自解决全部问题。
语法翻译法
语法翻译法重视语法解释、句子分析和翻译。
优点:适合帮助学习者读懂复杂文字,也能支持写作。
局限:如果只做分析,不练习听和说,口语理解与表达可能不足。
句型练习法
句型练习法让学习者反复替换词语,熟悉固定句型。
优点:初学者可以快速熟悉常见结构。
局限:如果练习过于机械,学生容易失去兴趣,也不一定能在真实场景中灵活表达。
沟通法
沟通法强调在实际任务中使用英语,例如问路、买东西、讨论计划。
优点:能让学习者练习真实交流。
局限:如果生活中很少有使用英语的机会,课堂练习容易中断。因此,还需要阅读、听力和自主练习作为补充。
阅读法
阅读法可以分成四种常见方式:
- 精读:慢慢读,查词,分析句型;
- 泛读:大量快速阅读,掌握大意;
- 略读:快速了解文章主题和重点;
- 扫读:快速寻找一个具体信息。
精读帮助你看清细节。泛读帮助你提高速度和阅读量。略读与扫读帮助你更有效地找信息。
综合法
综合法强调根据学习目标、个人特点和环境选择方法。
有些人喜欢读书,有些人喜欢听音频,有些人需要把内容说出来才记得住。最实用的做法不是只选一种,而是了解自己缺少什么,再有针对性地练习。
泛读的做法
泛读要读得多、读得快,并且能够长期坚持。
选择材料时,先读一页:
- 不查每一个词;
- 不停下来逐句翻译;
- 看自己能不能理解大意;
- 问自己是否愿意继续读。
如果完全看不懂,材料太难。如果只有少数词不认识,但仍然知道文章在讲什么,难度通常合适。
兴趣很重要。你喜欢故事、新闻、游戏说明、科普文章或学校生活,都可以从相关内容开始。
泛读的材料
初学者可以选择:
- 分级读物;
- 适合学习者的短文;
- 带音频的简单文章;
- 熟悉主题的英文内容。
不要急着读太难的原著。先积累阅读量,再慢慢提高难度。
VOA Learning English
VOA Learning English 提供面向英语学习者的新闻和学习材料。很多内容有文字与音频,语言相对清楚。它适合用来结合泛读与听力练习。
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg 提供大量公共版权电子书。书籍免费,但很多作品年代较早,语言可能较难。
初学者不必急着挑战。阅读能力提高后,可以挑选自己感兴趣、难度合适的作品。
泛读与现代学习需求
现代学习者经常需要阅读网页、说明文档、邮件和学习材料。
阅读能力越强,越容易快速判断:
- 哪些内容值得细读;
- 哪些页面可以跳过;
- 某个信息在哪里;
- 怎样把多个来源整理成自己的理解。
这就是泛读、略读和扫读的实际价值。
泛读与听力口语
泛读不能代替听力和口语练习。
但是,大量阅读可以帮助你更快地理解常见句型和词语。阅读速度提高以后,听到类似表达时,理解也可能更快。
最好的做法是搭配:
- 阅读简单文章;
- 听同一主题的音频;
- 跟读短句;
- 用自己的话复述内容。
发音的问题
只阅读而不开口,发音不会自动改善。
可以使用带音频的材料,听一句,跟读一句。重点是让别人听懂,也让自己逐渐熟悉自然节奏。
口音不是错误。清楚表达比刻意模仿某一种口音更重要。
泛读与单词
泛读时,不必每遇到一个新词就查字典。
先看上下文:
- 这个词反复出现吗?
- 不知道它,会不会影响理解大意?
- 能不能从前后句猜出大致意思?
常见词会不断出现。多次看到以后,你会逐渐熟悉它的意思和用法。
但是,重要词反复出现却始终不懂时,仍然应该查词典。泛读不是禁止查词,而是避免每个词都停下来查。
泛读与写作
大量阅读会让你熟悉自然表达。但是,只读并不保证写得准确。
写作还需要:
- 语法知识;
- 句型分析;
- 实际练习;
- 修改和反馈。
泛读提供输入。语法帮助你看清结构。写作练习让你真正学会输出。
本章总结
- 状语从句简化时,连词是否保留要看句意。
- 分词结构通常要求简化从句主语和主句主语一致。
- 主语不同却仍要简化时,保留主语,形成独立结构。
being可以表达进行状态,也可以帮助完成词类变化。having been表达完成状态;后面已有过去分词时,有时可以省略。- 分词短语的位置和逗号会影响修饰对象。
- 悬垂修饰语来自错误地省略主语。
- 状语从句还可以简化为不定式、介词短语、名词或形容词。
- 泛读适合与精读、听力、口语、词汇和写作练习结合使用。