英語講義【80】形容詞從句的位置

字號:

在《容易犯錯的形容詞從句》一文里,知道形容詞從句總是跟在被修飾的名詞(即先行詞)后面。例如:
    ① Any change which causes the formation of new matters is a chemical change.(在主句主語的名詞之后)
    ② Plastics is an important material which is widely used in industry.(在主句補足語名詞之后)
    ③ It has certain features that are easily recognised.(在主句賓語名詞之后)
    在下列情況下,形容詞從句和所修飾的名詞隔開:
    ㈠被介詞短語隔開,如:
    ④ Magnets work through lines of force that extend between the two ends of the magnet.
    ⑤ A molecule may be defined as the smallest particle of matter that can exist without changing its nature.
    ④里的形容詞從句和先行詞“l(fā)ines”被介詞短語“of force” 分離。⑤里的卻被另一個介詞短語“of matter”隔開。
    ㈡被分詞短語隔開,如:
    ⑥ There is no method known to medical science today that can effectively cure cancer.
    ⑥里的形容詞從句和先行詞“method”之間被過去分詞短語“ known to medical science today”隔開。
    上述兩種隔離情況可以理解,也被接受。
    另外還有一種分隔情況,也偶爾見到,特別在科技英語中,但這種離異法,值得商榷。
    例如:
    ⑦ Several other ideas came along that enabled engineers to design still smaller units.
    ⑧ Ninety-six substances are known which chemists consider to be elements.
    ⑦和⑧里的形容詞從句和先行詞“ideas”及“substances”之間都被主句的謂語動詞“came along”和“are known”分開。
    這類的分隔情況,多在主句謂語動詞是被動語態(tài)(the passive voice)時才出現(xiàn),如例⑧,但謂語動詞是主動語態(tài)(the active voice)的話,也可以,如例⑦,只是數(shù)量少些。
    為什么要把形容詞從句常見的位置和先行詞分開呢?主要原因是:先行詞所在的主句較短,而修飾先行詞的形容詞從句則很長。為了平衡主句和從句,才采用這方法。雖然如此,但它和一般的形容詞從句的位置有很多抵觸,恐怕引起混亂。
    為了減少不必要的麻煩,改用別的句式。其中一個方法是將形容詞從句改為另外一個獨立的簡單句(如例⑨&╆);另一個辦法是采用并列句(如例⑩&╇):
    ⑨ Several other ideas came along. Such ideas /They enabled engineers to design still small units.
    ⑩ Several other ideas came along and these ideas enabled engineers to design still small units.
    ╆ Ninety-six substances are known. Chemists consider them to be elements.
    ╇ Ninety-six substances are known and chemists consider them to be elements.