英语中的垂悬分词
2015-08-04闫跃
闫跃
根据“依着法则”,分词的逻辑主语需要出现在该分词所在的句子当中,比如用作状语的分词的逻辑主语通常是其所在句子的主语,但有时分词在句子中找不到它的逻辑主语,就形成了所谓的“垂悬分词”(亦称“无依着分词”)。垂悬分词从起源上来说,是语言的错误使用,但迄今却广泛应用于避免使用人称主语的科技语体中,而且有些垂悬分词经过语法演化,已经成为正确的用法。并日常化了。下文对常见的垂悬分词用法作一简述。
虚化为介词的垂悬分词
这类分词主要有:表示话题引入的coming to,speaking/talking of(相当于when it comes/came to);表示话题涉及的concerning,regarding,respecting,touching;表示理由或原因陈述的allowing for(考虑,顾及,将……计算在内),considering,given,owing to;表示让步关系的granting,conceding;表示方式或凭借关系的depending on,judging by/from;表示否定假设关系的failing;表示包含或者排除意义的counting,including,excluding,without mentioning。例如:
Coming to/Speaking of/Talking of hobbies, what do you usually do on weekends?
说到业余爱好,你周末通常会做些什么?
Concerning/Regarding/Respecting/Touching tax cut, the two parties have not reached an agreement.
关于减税的问题,两党还未达成一致。
Allowing for inflation, the cost of the project is $2 million.
考虑到通货膨胀因素,项目的费用为200万美元。
He sees fairly well, considering/given the fact that he is sixty years of age.
就他现年60岁这一事实而论/鉴于(考虑到)他现年60岁这一情况,他的视力还不错。
John did quite well in his exams considering how little he studied.
考虑到约翰才学了那么一点点,他考得已经算是很不错了。
Owing to the fact that I had lost his adress, I did not know where I could find him.
由于我把他的地址弄丢了,我不知道在哪里可以找到他。
Granting all those facts, you still have not convinced me.
就算那些都是事实,你仍然没有说服我。
Conceding his superiority as a scholar, it is evident that he is inferior as a man.
即使承认他作为一个学者的过人之处,但显而易见他人品低劣。
The plant may grow to a height of several meters, depending on soil conditions.
这种植物可以长到好几米高,视土壤条件而定。
Judging by/from the look on Adams face, the news must have been terrible.
从亚当的表情来判断,肯定是可怕的消息。
Ask a friend to recommend a doctor or, failing that, ask for a list in your local library.
请朋友推荐一位医生,如果办不到就向当地图书馆要一份名单。
There are two cheep hotels, but failing either of these, you may as well go back to where you were before.
有两家廉价的旅馆,但如果两家都不行的话,你不妨回到以前住的地方。
