83阐明先行词的关系子句(一)

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83阐明先行词的关系子句(一)                                                      7/5/2014

关系子句在中文里没有, 但在英文里却是最独特的结构的一种. 关系代名词是代名词的一类, 如 what, who, whose, whom, which, that, as (前附such, the same, 或 as) 以及 but (前附 no one, none)等. 在文法上是用来代表在它们前面的 “先行词”, 同时又兼有连词的功能, 用它们把从属子句(关系子句)和主要子句连结起来.

   例如 :

       The man who came here this morning was my school friend. 

        ( 有底线的是关系子句(从属子句), 关系代名词who位于该子句的主位, 它

兼有连词的功能, 把关系子句和主要子句连结起来.) 

关系子句是形成复杂句 (complex sentences) 及混合复杂句(compound and complex sentences) 等句子的主要功臣. 有了它们句子就美轮美奂, 令人百读不厌. 它们和形容词子句, 副词子句和介词短语, 共同作用, 使句子里字与字间的位置配合得恰到好处, 确定其不变的意义. 它们又一起把词与词之间的关系建立起来, 使听的人能达到清澈见底的明白; 使读的人一目了然, 明如指掌.

举一个写作的实例来阐明关系子句在造句中所扮演的角色. 下列有数个单句是描写龙卷风发生的情形:

1.  There was a tornado.

2.  The tornado struck a small town.

3.  The tornado struck without warning.

4.  The tornado caused a great deal of damage.

5.  The tornado caused a number of serious injuries.

6.  The tornado caused several deaths.

   

这些短句若放在一段内, 会使读者念起来如嚼蜡, 觉得单调而乏味. 换句话说是缺乏可读性. 若用适当的词句将各句之间的关系建立起来, 就成为对龙卷风施虐的惊心动魄的报导, 可以提醒人们对它的暴虐有高度的警觉, 尽力的防备它. 在英语语法中有很多方法可以达到这目的. 用关系句子来表达比较合适, 因为它有关系代名词可以担当这任务──它既能阐明先行词, 又有连接的功效.

  例如 :

     The tornado (龙卷风), which was completely unexpected, swept through the

     small town causing extensive damage, numerous injuries and several deaths.

关系子句有两主要类型: 阐明先行词的关系子句, 如第一个例句, 及作额外补充说明的关系子句, 如第二个长句有底线的子句. 子句(clauses)是句子(sentences)的一部分. 关系子句是说者用 who 告诉我们是怎么样的人, 用 which 指是什么样的物及事, 和用 that 指什么样的人, 事和物. 写作的人用关系子句把一些单调的短句合成优美可读性的长句.

  例如 :

       The woman ── she lives next door ── is a doctor.  (这是两个句子.)  
 重写如下:

       The woman who lives next door is a doctor.    (这成为一个句子了.) 

 

  该例中用 who 代替 she, 称为关系代名词, 在关系子句的主位 (nominative

case). who 后面所接的动词，必须和其先行词(woman)的属性一样, 就是“数”和“人称”的一致. 主要子句中的先行词是“第三人称”,“单数”用主位代名词 who 而其动词用“ lives ” 是“第三人称”,“单数”. 

      

            又如:   We know a lot of people who live in Taipei.

            [注]: 主要子句中的先行詞是“第三人称”,“复数”用主位代名词 who 而

         其动词用 “ live ” 是“第三人称”,“复数”. 

如果先行詞是“ 事情或物 ”, 则用 which.

  例如:

       I have not seen the letter which you are looking for.

       Where is the cheese which was in the refrigerator?

that 可以用来代替 who 和 which. 它比 which 较常使用. 可是有时不能代替, 必须要用 who 和 which. 将在第 86 讲内讨论.

  例如:

            I have not seen the letter that you are looking for.

   The man that lives next door is very friendly.

           Where is the cheese that was in the refrigerator?

习题六十七

   试用 who, that 和 which 将下列两个短句子写成一个长句:

1. A girl was injured in the accident. She is now in hospital.

The girl who was injured in the accident is now in hospital.   范例

2. A man answered the phone. He told me you were away. The man ＿.

3. A waitress served us. She was very impolite and impatient. The ＿.

4. A building was destroyed in the fire. It has now been rebuilt. ＿.

5. Some people were arrested. They have now been released. The ＿.

6. A bus goes to the airport. It runs every half hour. ＿.

习题六十八

   试用下列所给的短句以完成下列各句:

she runs away from home;  they are never on time;  they were on the wall;

it makes washing machines;  it gives you the meaning of words; 

it won the race; they stole my car; it can support life; it cannot be explained

1. Mary works for a company that makes washing machines.    范例

2. The book is about a girl who runs away from home.               范例

3. What was the name of the horse ＿＿＿.

4. The police have caught the men ＿＿＿.

5. What's happened to the pictures ＿＿＿.

6. A mystery is something ＿＿＿.

7. A dictionary is a book ＿＿＿.

8. I don't like people ＿＿＿.

9. It seems that Earth is the only planet ＿＿＿.

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